How can 98point6 balance increasing the number of available doctors on its platform with maintaining high-quality care standards?

Introduction

Balancing the number of available doctors on 98point6's platform with maintaining high-quality care standards is a critical trade-off that directly impacts the core value proposition of the telemedicine service. This scenario involves managing the supply of medical professionals while ensuring each patient receives top-notch care. I'll approach this analysis by examining the key stakeholders, metrics, and potential experiments to inform our decision-making process.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm thinking about the current doctor-to-patient ratio on the platform. Could you share any insights on our current capacity utilization and average wait times for patients?

Why it matters: Helps determine the urgency of increasing doctor availability Expected answer: High utilization, increasing wait times Impact on approach: Would prioritize rapid onboarding of new doctors if utilization is near capacity

• Business Context: Based on our revenue model, I assume we charge per consultation. Is this correct, and are there any other significant revenue streams we should consider?

Why it matters: Aligns solution with business model and revenue goals Expected answer: Per-consultation fees are primary, with potential subscription model Impact on approach: Would focus on balancing doctor availability with consultation quality to maximize revenue

• User Impact: I'm curious about our user segments. Do we primarily serve acute care needs, or do we have a significant chronic care management component?

Why it matters: Different user needs may require different approaches to doctor availability and care quality Expected answer: Mix of acute and chronic care, with growing emphasis on chronic care management Impact on approach: Would tailor doctor recruitment and quality metrics to specific user segment needs

• Technical: Regarding our platform capabilities, do we have the technical infrastructure to support a significant increase in doctor onboarding and patient volume?

Why it matters: Ensures scalability of proposed solutions Expected answer: Current infrastructure can handle moderate growth, may need upgrades for significant expansion Impact on approach: Would consider phased approach to growth, aligned with technical capacity

• Resource: Can you give me an idea of our current budget allocation for doctor recruitment and quality assurance programs?

Why it matters: Determines feasibility of proposed solutions within resource constraints Expected answer: Limited budget with potential for increase if ROI is demonstrated Impact on approach: Would focus on high-impact, cost-effective strategies for both recruitment and quality assurance