HealthAmigo today announced the availability of its new range of WAP* medical information services from July 18 th 2000 under the brand name PocketDoctor. In a UK first, consumers will have access to ‘a doctor in your pocket’ for information about the everyday stresses and strains of life.

Initially POCKETDOCTOR will have three services:

• DoctorQ – A service devised by Dr Phil Hammond, from TV’s “Trust Me I’m A Doctor”, outlining the questions you should ask your doctor in specific situations. For example, when you're given a prescription or offered an operation, or when you want more information about your illness. Many patients come away from their appointments wishing they had asked more questions. DoctorQ will be a valuable reminder to use during the consultation. How likely is my treatment to work? What are the alternatives? How many operations of this type have you done? What have your results been?
  
• Health-E-Ref - This is a brand new medical encyclopedia, written by Dr Michael Apple, specifically for HealthAmigo. It contains easy to find and understand explanations of a wide range of medical conditions, searchable alphabetically or by body zone.
  
• Symptom Analyser – This will give patients an analysis of symptoms associated with a wide range of illnesses. It is broken down into body zones and suggests possible explanations of these symptoms categorised as PROBABLE, POSSIBLE and RARE.

All the information provided has been checked by HealthAmigo’s medical and ethical committee, led by Dr Michael Apple and Dr Phil Hammond – both practising doctors.

Rob Wilson, Marketing Director, HealthAmigo, said: “With today’s busy lifestyle, people increasingly want access to the health information they need, wherever they are. Now patients, even when they are in a consultation, can prompt themselves to ask the questions that really matter. Our first set of services gives patients the ability to take control of their own health needs in a convenient way.”

Dr Phil Hammond said: “Research has clearly shown that patients who are involved in decisions about their diagnosis and treatment do better, and yet too many are still too in awe of doctors to ask questions. DoctorQ will help them and also help doctors make the best choices for their patients.”

Andrew Hull, Commercial Director, continued: “We are first to use mobile technology to empower patients by allowing immediate access to health information and services. These services are the first of a wide and comprehensive range that we will shortly be bringing to market. POCKETDOCTOR ä will be as extensive and accessible for the consumer of health information that it is possible to be and will eventually include face to face video consultations.”

A range of additional services will be launched during the Summer. For further information contact HealthAmigo Tel: 0207 569 6748.

Editor’s Note

HealthAmigo is a e-health business, founded in January 2000 by Rob Wilson and Andrew Hull, to change and enhance the traditional relationship between the medical profession and health consumers. Its services are being developed multi-platform – internet, WAP and digital TV. It is designed as the patient’s friend – accessible, easy to use, highly professional and based on reputable UK medical sources of information.

HealthAmigo has completed its first round funding and is seeking second round funding.

*wireless application protocol

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