The WellCar is a mobile health solution that brings house calls to the 21st century as a fully-mobile, connected medical office on wheels. The University of Kansas solution was thought up as a potential help to aide with issues Obamacare might cause medical centers and hospitals. It attempts to solve for the doctor shortage, patients who live far away from hospitals, many of whom are underserved or have chronic conditions. In fact, it’s the Affordable Care Act that is really driving the project’s value.
A focus on wellness promotes remote patient monitoring and reducing readmissions. It’s this plus helping the elderly and underserved patient populations that thrust the WellCar idea forward.
“The idea being if you’re actively doing things that will prevent you from going to the hospital and incurring cost,” Greg Thomas, professor of design and director at KU’s Center for Design Research, said in an e-mail. “The other is the ‘bounce back’ effect of patients returning too soon after release. Complications arise and they go back and the hospital foots the bill.”
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
The business model is innovative, as partners work hand-in-hand on tech, rather than just writing checks or making in-kind donations. This makes for an attractive solution and innovation for major partners. To see how and why companies like Ford, Sprint and Abbott have partnered with the project, click here.
Follow MedCity News on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.
