Note from Dr Ezam Mat Ali, Founder of MedPlanner
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The Star: 10th January 2023. The image is for illustration purposes and does not depict the actual event/person.
After four years working closely with healthcare professionals, together we have developed a comprehensive and dedicated clinical messaging app that helps clinicians to manage patient efficiently to improve patient outcomes.
Below is an example of how healthcare professionals and organisations can help to expedite care and optimise patient care.
A Lifeline for Managing Complex Care: The Story of Mr. Rahman’s Journey
Mr. Rahman, a 62-year-old man with a long history of diabetes, walked into his local clinic one morning with a nagging pain in his foot. Over the years, his diabetes had been reasonably well-controlled, but the condition had taken its toll on his body. In addition to diabetes, he suffered from hypertension, high cholesterol, and had experienced a mild heart attack two years ago. These conditions were the warning signs of the potential complications that can arise from unmanaged diabetes. That day, his foot was swollen and showed signs of a deep ulcer—a telltale sign of diabetic complications that could quickly escalate.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, his primary care doctor, Dr. Lim, knew that Mr. Rahman would need the expertise of multiple specialists to manage his condition effectively. She would have to involve an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, a nephrologist, a vascular surgeon, and a podiatrist, as well as a dietitian and a diabetic nurse educator, to ensure comprehensive care.
The Challenge of Coordinating Care
As the primary care physician, Dr. Lim had seen the difficulties of managing complex cases like Mr. Rahman’s before. In the past, healthcare professionals had relied on phone calls, emails, and sometimes even social media messaging apps to coordinate care. But these methods were slow, inefficient, and often prone to miscommunication. Important updates would be missed, instructions would be delayed, and sensitive patient information would be shared on insecure platforms, putting Mr. Rahman’s privacy at risk.
In one memorable case, a delay in relaying a crucial test result had led to a significant deterioration in a patient’s health, underscoring the potential dangers of using outdated communication methods. Dr. Lim didn’t want this to happen to Mr. Rahman. This time, she was determined to do things differently.
Introducing the Clinical Messaging App
Dr. Lim decided to introduce the team to MedPlanner, a dedicated clinical messaging app designed specifically for healthcare professionals. It was a secure, encrypted platform that allowed doctors, nurses, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to communicate seamlessly, share patient information, and coordinate treatment plans in real-time. She quickly set up a group chat for Mr. Rahman’s care, inviting all the relevant specialists to join.
The Power of Real-Time Communication
As soon as Mr. Rahman’s test results came back, Dr. Lim uploaded the data to MedPlanner. Within minutes, the endocrinologist, Dr. Wong, reviewed his blood sugar levels and adjusted his insulin dosage. At the same time, Dr. Hashim, the cardiologist, recommended changes to his heart medications, ensuring there would be no dangerous interactions between the drugs prescribed by different specialists.
The vascular surgeon, Dr. Pereira, assessed the photos of Mr. Rahman’s foot ulcer that Dr. Lim had uploaded and suggested an immediate referral to the hospital for further evaluation. Meanwhile, the dietitian, Ms. Aishah, was able to access the latest blood test results to tailor a meal plan that would not only manage Mr. Rahman’s diabetes but also support his cardiovascular health.
The diabetic nurse educator, Ms. Tan, kept a close eye on Mr. Rahman’s progress and used the messaging app to arrange a home visit. She shared her observations and photographs of the healing wound on MedPlanner, allowing Dr. Pereira to monitor the progress without requiring frequent in-person follow-ups.
Collaboration Leading to Better Outcomes
Over the course of a few weeks, Mr. Rahman’s condition began to improve. The ulcer on his foot was healing, his blood sugar levels stabilized, and his blood pressure was under better control than it had been in years. His care team adjusted his treatment in real-time, based on the latest information shared through the app.
What made the difference this time was the efficiency of communication. There were no delays, no missed updates, and no confusion about the treatment plan. All members of the multidisciplinary team were on the same page, ensuring that Mr. Rahman received the best possible care.
Ensuring Patient Safety and Confidentiality
Another key advantage of using a dedicated clinical messaging app was the protection of Mr. Rahman’s sensitive health information. Unlike social media messaging apps, which were not designed for healthcare use, MedPlanner ensured that every message, document, and image was encrypted and protected by stringent security protocols. This meant that Mr. Rahman’s privacy was safeguarded at all times, in compliance with data protection laws such as Malaysia’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
A New Standard of Care
As Mr. Rahman left the clinic for his follow-up appointment, he felt more confident about his health than he had in years. The pain in his foot had lessened, and he had a clear understanding of his treatment plan, thanks to the clear communication between his healthcare professionals.
Dr. Lim and her team realized that using a dedicated clinical messaging app like MedPlanner wasn’t just about making their jobs easier—it was about delivering better, safer, and more efficient care. By fostering real-time collaboration, reducing miscommunication, and ensuring data security, they had set a new standard for managing complex, multidisciplinary cases.
The Lesson Learned
Mr. Rahman’s story is a powerful reminder of how important it is for healthcare professionals to have access to the right tools. When managing conditions that require input from multiple specialists, such as diabetes with comorbidities, the ability to communicate effectively can be the difference between life and death, between complications and recovery.
In a world where patient outcomes depend on seamless collaboration, a secure clinical messaging app like MedPlanner is not just a convenience—it’s a lifeline.
Written by Dr Ezam Mat Ali
FRCPCH MA (Technology in Clinical Practice)
CEO of MedPlanner
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