Interview with OhMD CEO Ethan Bechtel HealthBiz with David E. Williams

Ethan Bechtel, CEO and Co-Founder of OhMD, a HIPAA compliant texting and telehealth platform  discusses  challenges of communication between patients & doctors through text messaging. We dive into Ethan's entrepreneurial upbringing and  personal journey through healthcare, which has shaped his vision for an ideal healthcare experience. We explore the early days of developing patient portals and the challenges with getting users to adopt them, leading to the eventual shift towards text messaging as an entry point for improved communication. Our conversation also touches on the importance of prioritizing the patient experience, evolving value propositions for different types of practices, and the need for flexibility and adaptability in communication technology. Additionally, we discuss the challenges of focusing on a specific market segment and the company's financing strategy. Lastly, we delve into the future of OMD, the role of AI in enhancing efficient conversations and human connections, and the economic future of Vermont in attracting more tech businesses and talent. Join us for this insightful conversation about the benefits of texting in healthcare and the journey towards building a sustainable business in this space.

Chapters:
(0:00:11) - The Benefits of Texting in Healthcare
(0:04:41) - Adoption of Technology in Healthcare
(0:11:46) - Improving Healthcare Outcomes
(0:20:51) - Building a Sustainable Business

(0:00:11) - The Benefits of Texting in Healthcare (5 Minutes)
Ethan shares his  background growing up in an entrepreneurial family with a strong connection to healthcare, as his mother founded an orthopedic clinic at Killington Mountain Resort. Ethan's personal journey through healthcare, dealing with multiple orthopedic injuries, has shaped his vision for an ideal healthcare experience and led him to create OMD.

(0:04:41) - Adoption of Technology in Healthcare (7 Minutes)
We dive deeper into the journey of creating a better communication experience for patients and doctors, discussing the early days of developing patient portals and the challenges with getting users to adopt them. The conversation explores the eventual shift towards text messaging as an entry point for improved communication and the development of secure messaging systems for healthcare. The influence of Rich Tarrin, former CEO of IDX Systems, and his encouragement to build software around solving specific healthcare problems is also highlighted, illustrating the path to creating more patient-centric solutions'

(0:11:46) - Improving Healthcare Outcomes (9 Minutes)
We discuss the importance of prioritizing  patient experience when developing solutions for healthcare, as well as the evolving value propositions for different types of practices. In addition to improving patient acquisition and reducing no-shows, we explore how communication platforms  help streamline operations and deliver higher service levels. The conversation also touches on the need for flexibility and adaptability in communication technology as it continues to evolve, as well as the potential for expanding customer segments beyond physician practices'

(0:20:51) - Building a Sustainable Business (11 Minutes)
We examine the challenges of focusing on a specific market segment for a business like OhMD. We discuss the company's financing strategy, leveraging organic growth rather than raising significant venture capital. We delve into the future of OhMD and the role of AI.  And we discuss the economic future of Vermont and its potential to attract more tech businesses and talent.
Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.