My Journey from Doctor to Health Tech Entrepreneur
As an NHS GP and former A&E doctor, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges patients face in accessing timely mental health support. Long waiting lists and limited availability often leave individuals without the care they need, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes. These experiences ignited a passion in me to find a solution, culminating in the creation of the Dr Julian Mental Health Platform.
The Genesis of Dr Julian
The idea for Dr Julian was born out of frustration with the existing mental health care system. I envisioned a platform that could connect patients with therapists quickly and conveniently, reducing wait times and removing geographical barriers. Drawing inspiration from other more technologically advanced sectors such as transport and banking, I aimed to empower patients by giving them control over their mental health care, allowing them to choose therapists based on language, issue, and therapy type, and to have appointments via video, audio, or text. Today, our platform also provides face-to-face care, offering a more streamlined way of working while maintaining flexibility for patients and clinicians alike.
Lessons Learned
1. Perseverance is Key
Transitioning from medicine to entrepreneurship was challenging. There were setbacks and moments of doubt, but a steadfast belief in the mission kept me moving forward.
2. Solve an Actual Problem and Be Adoptable
The NHS and healthcare systems are incredibly hard to integrate into. It’s crucial to build something that is genuinely needed, can enhance care, save money, and fit into existing care pathways to gain initial adoption.
3. The Importance of Feedback
Early iterations of the platform had flaws. Listening to patients and therapists allowed us to make necessary adjustments, ensuring the platform met users’ needs effectively.
4. Building the Right Team
Success is a collective effort. Assembling a team that shared the vision and brought diverse skills was crucial in turning the idea into reality.
Successes and Challenges
Dr Julian has made significant strides, providing thousands with access to mental health care and partnering with NHS services to reduce waiting times. Our platform offers near 24/7 appointment availability, secure administration, personalised configurable portals, and seamless integration, making us one of NHS England’s trusted partners.
However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. Navigating the fragmented NHS landscape is incredibly challenging and takes a very long time. Additionally, creating a user-friendly interface was paramount; any inefficiencies could deter users, regardless of the platform’s innovative nature.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Focusing Too Much on Features Instead of Solving Problems
In the early days, it’s easy to get excited about adding features. However, if these features don’t solve a specific problem or meet a real need, they’ll likely go unused. For example, we initially included complex reporting tools that users found overwhelming. By simplifying these into clear, actionable insights, we aligned better with user needs.
2. Underestimating the Time It Takes to Integrate with the NHS
Navigating the NHS’s fragmented systems and securing buy-in from multiple stakeholders can take years. Entrepreneurs often underestimate the persistence and patience required to establish trust and credibility.
3. Assuming a Great Product Sells Itself
No matter how innovative your solution is, it requires a robust marketing and communication strategy. Building relationships with NHS trusts, clinicians, and decision-makers is as important as the technology itself.
4. Neglecting the Human Element in Tech
While technology can improve efficiency, mental health care is deeply personal. Ensuring the platform supports empathetic, human-centred interactions is key to building trust with users.
5. Failing to Prioritise Mental Health as a Founder
Ironically, working in mental health can take a toll on your own well-being. The pressure of entrepreneurship, especially in healthcare, makes it vital to build routines for self-care and seek support when needed.
Disrupting the Mental Health Care Landscape
Dr Julian aims to revolutionise mental health care by leveraging technology to enhance accessibility, personalisation and efficiency. Our platform connects patients with therapists through video, phone, text, and face-to-face care, providing a flexible, streamlined approach to mental health support. By integrating digital tools such as therapy homework and providing a vast network of accredited clinicians, we strive to deliver patient-centred care that addresses individual needs.
We’re also excited about how the platform can move towards more preventative care. By providing every patient with their own personalised dashboard, we can track wellbeing indicators, identify early warning signs, and deliver targeted interventions. These dashboards enable clinicians to provide tailored support, helping individuals stay well while addressing mental health at a population level.
I’m particularly excited about the potential of AI to enhance mental health care further. By leveraging demographic and other forms of data, AI can provide insights that enable more personalised care. For example, AI could analyse patterns in therapy outcomes to recommend specific self-help tools for individuals with anxiety or suggest targeted therapy interventions for those showing early signs of depression. Such tools can ensure patients receive the most effective support based on their unique needs and circumstances.
Looking Forward
The future holds exciting possibilities. Advancements in artificial intelligence and telehealth present opportunities to further personalise and improve our services. By continuing to innovate and adapt, we aim to make mental health support more inclusive, flexible, and effective for all.
This journey has reinforced my belief in the power of combining medical expertise with technological innovation to create meaningful change. For those considering a similar path, I encourage you to embrace your vision, learn from every experience, and remain resilient in the face of challenges. Disrupting the norm isn’t easy, but it’s through such endeavours that we can make a lasting impact.
