AI and teleservices to enable universal access to quality healthcare 

Portal Telemedicina is an advanced AI-driven medtech company providing equitable telehealth services. Thanks to the platform, they have impacted over 33 million patients in Brazil, Latin America and Angola. AI-powered teleconsultation, tele-diagnosis, and population health management modules integrate medical records and devices, enabling seamless data transfer across 26 modalities. Leveraging AI models trained on millions of exams, the platform detects medical findings and empowers specialist doctors to deliver accurate diagnoses and prioritise emergencies. 

Access to quality healthcare is an essential component of realising the basic human right to health and well-being. Without adequate healthcare services, individuals face heightened risks of poor health outcomes, which can have far-reaching social and economic implications. For instance, it can lead to long-term disabilFities, diminished productivity, and decreased income, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Thus, addressing this issue extends beyond the mere provision of healthcare; it necessitates the promotion of social justice and the reduction of health disparities.

To tackle this challenge, the solution leverages the capabilities of interoperability, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence, enabling seamless connections between physicians, clinics, hospitals, and patients, even in remote areas. Through The Portal Telemedicina, they deliver swift and affordable diagnostic services, while cutting-edge technology identifies abnormalities and prioritises emergencies. By significantly enhancing health outcomes, boosting productivity, and lowering healthcare costs, aim is to bring substantial benefits to individuals and communities on a global scale.

In a successful deployment of the telecardiology module in the city of Tarumã, as published in the SciELO/Tarumã scientific publication, remarkable outcomes were achieved. The city experienced a 45% reduction in non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality, a 30% decrease in heart disease care-related costs, and a 28% reduction in transportation costs within 18 months of implementing our telecardiology module.

The implementation of population health management platform across Brazil has positively impacted millions of patients. One notable project, supported by the IDB Bank, brought significant benefits, including approximately USD 10 million in increased health management efficiency. The platform was also instrumental in monitoring the spread of dengue, zika, and chikungunya, providing alerts regarding the onset of outbreaks 90 days before cases surged.

The Portal Telemedicina solution encompasses a comprehensive telehealth platform with three modules designed to revolutionise healthcare delivery.

1. The Teleconsultation module offers convenient access to a general physician for individuals via internet-connected devices such as phones or computers. Additionally, clinics equipped with remote consultation stations can extend this accessibility to patients. The platform facilitates appointment scheduling, communication with healthcare providers, receipt of diagnosis and treatment recommendations, and access to medical records. The fondators have integrated cutting-edge AI technology that leverages transdermal optical imaging and photoplethysmography, enabling vital sign measurements through smartphone cameras, providing physicians with more comprehensive information. A monthly fixed price per inhabitant allows the platform to effectively address 75% of patients’ concerns remotely.
2. The Telediagnostic platform empowers hospitals and clinics, both public and private, to submit various types of exams (26 modalities) for online diagnosis. This is made possible through the proprietary IoT gateway, which seamlessly integrates with 90% of medical device brands. By utilising this platform, any primary care centre equipped with the necessary medical equipment, such as an EKG or dermatoscope, can transform into a Digital Medical Center. Technicians and nurses can directly capture and upload high-quality exam data from medical devices, facilitating prompt online diagnostics supported by machine learning algorithms. The AI models predict pathologies, assign risk scores, and optimise physician queues during exam triage to prioritise emergencies. When necessary, nurses or physicians conducting exams can connect with specialist physicians through interconsultations, ensuring diagnostic expertise is accessible from anywhere globally. The pricing model is usage-based (SaaS), charging a fixed price per transferred and diagnosed exam. This enables individuals with limited access to exams and specialist physicians to access the network of care.
3. The Population Health Management module provides a modern command centre for managing the health of entire populations. It facilitates the identification of health risks, improves care coordination, and optimises resource allocations. The platform includes powerful data analytics tools that enable authorities, including government and public health officials, to track population health trends, identify areas requiring attention, and allocate resources more effectively. The pricing model for this module is a fixed price per inhabitant.

 

Portal’s platform has made a profound impact on the healthcare landscape, benefiting over 33 million patients in more than 900 cities across Brazil. The transformative power of the platform is:

• 3 million patients have been positively impacted through Telediagnosis
• 1 million through teleconsultation, 
• 28 million through the Population Health Management module.

In addition to the results already shown in the SciELO / Tarumã case study, the AI platform has some impressive results such as a 70% acceleration in the disease diagnosis compared to non-AI platforms or around 1000 lives helped every month by the AI triage in ECG.

From the dataset, one of the world’s largest, with 100+ million anonymized records, they have been developing state-of-the art inclusive algorithms. 

Besides improving patient outcomes, the Portal Telemedicina platform has played a crucial role in empowering healthcare professionals. Over 10,000 nurses and healthcare professionals have undergone Portal’s courses and certifications, emerging as “digital health nurses” equipped with the knowledge and skills to leverage the platform effectively. Notably, more than 80% of these nurses and technicians are women, who have experienced significant professional growth and expanded their career horizons upon completing courses and certifications.

By diversifying their portfolio of activities, these dedicated professionals have doubled their wages and become beacons of expertise in their respective communities. Their newfound skills and expertise have not only elevated their status but have also contributed to a drastic reduction in turnover rates, ensuring stability and continuity of care for patients.

Through this platform, they have not only improved access to quality healthcare for millions but also fostered a positive transformation in the healthcare workforce. Empowering healthcare professionals, particularly women, with digital health skills has had far-reaching effects, positively impacting both their professional and personal lives. As they continue to be leaders and catalysts for change, the platform remains at the forefront of driving equitable and inclusive healthcare across Brazil.