INTRODUCTION
Oncmate: Cancer Management App
OncMate provides a comprehensive care solution to cancer patients after their diagnosis. Using health coaches, we aim to proactively address patients’ needs such as scheduling, treatment plan, diet, exercise, mental health support to drive for better clinical outcomes and improve overall quality of life.
DURATION
February 21': 3 Day Hackathon
TEAM
Me – Research, Customer Experience, UI/UX | Tom – Vision, Strategy, Product, Medical expertise | Nick – Strategy, Product, Technology, Analytics | Ameeta – Strategy, Product, GTM | Hanif – UI Design, Customer Experience
BREAKDOWN
ORGANIZATION
MIT Hacking Medicine ( USA Context )
THEMES
Healthtech, Cancer, Management
BACKGROUND
Over 3.8 million women have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the US. With a 91% 5-year survival rate and a 84% 10-year survival rate for women with non-metastatic invasive cancer, breast cancer is now a chronic disease and needs to be managed as such.
Majority of US breast cancer patients are in remote cities, have low medical knowledge, and manage their own care. They find the care post-initial treatment very overwhelming.
The Oncmate solution will help the patients, especially remote ones, get optimal care and small hospital systems retain patients while optimizing patient care. The payors will see better patient outcomes and reduced costs.
On a personal note, I have firsthand experience of the challenging and uncertain situation that patients and their families often find themselves in during the intervals between chemotherapy treatments or after the completion of a treatment regimen. It's a difficult and often confusing time, filled with questions and concerns about what comes next.
PROBLEM
Breast Cancer is no longer a death sentence but is a chronic condition. 91% are alive at 5 years, but the majority of their side effects are long lasting and the first 2 years post treatment are crucial.
There is currently no consolidated solution to address a cancer patient's overall needs after diagnosis and initial treatment. Cancer patients may look to the American Cancer Society for information. It is a great resource but does not provide personalized information or care options. Medical jargon is also hard for the average patient to consume and take action upon.
WHAT WE DO
OncMate’s own dedicated health coaches will use our application to navigate cancer patients through complex diagnosis, treatment, personalized diet, and physical/psychological therapy with ready access to virtual specialists. The app will be designed to help the patients stay current with their ongoing treatment and medication. It will emphasize on an accessible and user centric interface patient experience to help with patient acquisition and retention. The patient can build their own care team. They are able to add family members so they can ask questions or track their loved ones/friends journey.
The health coaches will review the different care options presented, arrange expert 2nd opinions to oncologists and hematologists at world renowned institutions, personalized genetic treatment recommendations from companies like Foundation Medicine, Tempus Labs, and Caris, and analytics from partners regarding the efficacy of care options. These coaches ease the patient’s care management by facilitating optimal care and help them pinpoint their specific pain points.
OncMate’s personalized, whole-person approach is a true differentiator. We are initially focused on breast cancer and then expand in subsequent phases to lung and colon cancer patients.
EXISTING OPTIONS
Competitors range from the American Cancer Society to companies like Cancercare and Carezone that address different aspects of cancer care today with varying degrees of technology. OncMate is unique in facilitating patient access to all aspects of cancer care and using technology to optimize the patient experience.
They have tried to address a piece of the puzzle but not the whole thing. Cancer is untouched and has long been viewed as an acute issue, when in reality, it is a chronic process.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
OncMate is a "CRM for cancer patients". We map out all touchpoints in a CRM-like system and are on top of the needs. Once we grow into a sizable customer base, data will be a key asset that competitors can't easily imitate. Aggregated and anonymized data can potentially be an additional revenue stream.
Also, OncMate is a one-stop shop where patients can truly obtain personalized care outside of their chemotherapy. We are positioned to enable smaller clinics, hospitals, and insurance companies to truly provide full-service care to their patients and members.
ONCMATE APP
This was a quick prototype made to highlight the features the OncMate system would provide. The main motive of the app is to support the patient and their caregivers while being calming and user-friendly.
REVENUE MODEL
Initial Revenue Model (Self-pay)
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$100 monthly subscription which includes initial intake and a recurring monthly health coach visit
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Access to educational materials
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Scheduling, calendar invites and reminders via app
Later Revenue Model
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Medicare (vested interest in reducing long-term costs)
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Medicaid
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Private payers
USER ACQUISITION
OncMate will recruit healthcare (cancer care) coaches. There are three components of our patient acquisition strategy.
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Pilot at Mayo Clinic
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Promotion through PCPs and oncologists
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Targeted ads on Facebook (cancer patients/support groups)
The app will be accessible, highly intuitive and interactive in order to attract, engage, and retain users. The user experience is key for all apps, but even more so for cancer patients who don't have the energy to deal with a complicated setup.
The viral aspect of positive patient experiences shared in online support groups will help gain additional customers.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
1. Pitch Video: MIT Hackathon - Track 3
2. Pitch Presentation: View the presentation on Behance