The idea of carrying out medical checks without the physical presence of a doctor might have seemed like science fiction until recently. Today, Forward Health and CarePods make this scenario closer.
Imagine a compact medical station, equipped with artificial intelligence, capable of carrying out blood tests, diagnostic tests, blood pressure checks and swabs for various pathologies, all autonomously and at an affordable monthly cost.
The genesis of CarePods
The birth of CarePods is the last step in the journey of Forward Health, a company founded in 2016 with the aim of reinventing the healthcare sector. His vision first came to fruition with the opening of technologically advanced medical offices, where body scanners, smart sensors and diagnostic algorithms replaced much of traditional medical staff. This evolution, which began in 2017, today finds its maximum expression in the "booths" for medical checks, which takes the name of CarePods.
Each CarePod is a microcosm of medical technology. Featuring a large touch screen and a friendly guiding voice, the CarePod guides patients through a series of medical check-ups and health tests. You can choose between various "apps" for specific tests: from cardiac control to thyroid testing, from blood pressure measurement to diabetes management. The diagnosis, based on artificial intelligence, is displayed on the screen, and if necessary, a Forward Health doctor can intervene in real time for prescriptions or further instructions.
Monthly cost is $99 and includes on-demand access to CarePod, health apps, blood tests, Forward mobile app (access to all health data and health plans), care team support 24/24, unlimited virtual visits with Forward Health doctors.
A scalable approach to care
The CEO of Forward Health, Adrian Aoun, compares the evolution of CarePods to that of Tesla cars: his company started from a "luxury model", like high-tech medical offices, to arrive at a more accessible and scalable solution (a bit like the Model 3 of Tesla). The expansion plan involves installing 3200 CarePods in one year, with the first wave of 25 units already operational.
Despite the emphasis on technology, Forward Health does not neglect the importance of the human element. Each CarePod is attended by an attendant, ready to answer basic questions and maintain the device. Additionally, patients can interact with real doctors via the Forward Health mobile app, ensuring comprehensive and personalized care.
A vision of the future of medical checks
CarePods clearly represent a paradigm shift in how we think about diagnoses and healthcare. With the possibility of rapid, autonomous and low-cost access, Forward Health aims to make many checks more efficient and accessible to all.
Think of a hectic day, full of work commitments, in which taking care of your health seems like an unattainable luxury. But lo and behold, in the middle of a lunch break, you find a CarePod in a nearby shopping mall. Step into this capsule of the future, and with a few taps on a bright screen, initiate a series of medical checks.
Maybe it's just a routine checkup, or maybe you need a more specific checkup, like a test for the allergy that's been bothering you lately. While you wait for the results, reflect on how much the world of healthcare has changed: once upon a time, you would have had to book a visit, wait in a crowded waiting room, and waste half a day for a simple check-up.
Medical check-up results are ready within minutes, and an on-screen virtual doctor provides you with a clear diagnosis and personalized advice. The system will be able to remember all your diagnostic history, and also collect data from your wearable devices.
You may also receive a prescription, ready to be picked up at the pharmacy, or directly at an automated dispenser next to the CarePod.
Leave the CarePod, go back to your day, reassured and cared for, without having wasted more time than necessary: you will allocate the time that is necessary, when it is necessary, to physical visits with your doctor (always important for the human factor).
