ZocDoc announced $50 million in funding last week for its appointment scheduling app, and at least one commentator, Avado CEO Dave Chase (formerly of Microsoft Health), believes that healthtech startups could learn a thing or two from ZocDoc's apparent success.
In a recent column for TechCrunch, Chase lays down three simple lessons gleaned from ZocDoc's strategy to date:
Lead with the doctors. Chase repeated his belief about why Google Health failed, saying that leading with the consumer and expecting them to pull in physicians isn’t likely to be successful. ZocDoc focused on acquiring doctors as users, who then recommended patients to the service.
Focus pays off. Do one thing exceptionally well, Chase says. Offering a wide variety of features can lead to diversions and ineffectiveness. ZocDoc did one thing successfully -- appointment scheduling -- and built its services around that, instead of things like EHRs.
Technology-enabled services appeal to healthcare. Technology should be an enabler, not a centerpiece. Most doctors do not care much about the technology behind mHealth, just how it can improve their workflow.
Read the full post over at TechCrunch here.
