3D Medicines Secures $100M Investment; Six Core Areas in Medical Devices Poised for Breakthrough

In 2017, the entire internet healthcare sector underwent significant changes. The most notable change was in the internet healthcare industry,From competing for market space to showcasing core competencies。

From 2011 to 2016, internet healthcare passed through several key growth milestones of an emerging industry. These included the disruptive innovation in 2011 when Chunyu Doctor first launched its mobile consultation services, the industry boom during the capital investment frenzy in 2014, and the subsequent downturn in both the industry and capital markets from 2015 to 2016 due to the end of the traffic dividend.

Viewpoint

1、 Since 2017,Internet Healthcare Is Gradually Entering a Phase of Rational Development

① Leading enterprises are no longer pursuing business coverage in a one-sided manner, but are increasingly focusing on business growth potential and conversion rates;

② The so-called competition in niche market segments has essentially come to an end. Previously, areas such as appointment registration, online consultation, triage, and patient education were regarded as business models and core competencies; however, they have proven to be merely incremental innovations. Ultimately, companies have chosen to pursue multiple strategies simultaneously.

③ The essence of the competition in this sector is a battle for entry points, and the core of this battle is a contest of strength. Those with more substantial capital, broader channels, stronger connectivity capabilities, and more mature systems in products, technology, and services are poised to gain an early advantage in the race for entry points in internet healthcare;

④ Internet healthcare is gradually returning to its essence, namely, leveraging internet technologies to achieve comprehensive digitalization, mobilization, and intelligentization of medical services. “Online consultations,” which connect doctors and patients in real time via the internet, are increasingly becoming instrumentalized—serving not only as a means of delivering medical care, but also as a platform for managing medical data and as a conduit for integrating emerging technologies.

2、The sectors that secured financing in 2017 excluded nursing care and physician groups.

Possible reasons include:

① Policies on nurses’ multi-site practice remain to be liberalized. Although China has opened policy channels for physicians to engage in multi-site practice, there has been no policy relaxation regarding “nurses’ multi-site practice.”

② Home visits by nurses are beneficial to patients, especially those with limited mobility, and represent a future trend. It is also a promising direction for practicing or retired nurses to provide home-based care services. Meanwhile, it is emphasized that while patient needs can be met, potential risks must be regulated and mitigated in advance, and there should be established bases and channels for resolving disputes and issues when they arise.

③ Enhance nurses’ awareness of emergency resuscitation during home visits. Nurses providing home-based care outside the hospital setting face numerous challenges, such as medication safety and allergic reactions.

④ The scope of nursing services provided by nurses during home visits must be clearly defined, and patients requesting such services must undergo assessment. It is recommended to sign community home healthcare service agreements and informed consent forms with the community health center nearest to the patient’s residence. Physicians or nurses must complete home visit assessment forms and initial consultation records, ensuring that documentation is retained for every step and that each procedure is fully traceable.

⑤ Mitigate risks, such as medical liability, legal exposure, and personal accident risks. To mitigate these risks, in addition to the home-visit nursing service platform itself ensuring legal and regulatory compliance of the services provided, it should establish standardized operating procedures and secure insurance coverage as a fundamental safeguard.

3、Internet Healthcare Companies Converge in Yinchuan

The most significant event impacting the internet healthcare industry this year occurred on March 19, when Yinchuan City signed agreements with multiple internet hospitals in a single ceremony. The companies present at the signing included DXY, Peking University Medical Information, Chunyu Doctors, Jinglian Technology, Taoyibao, 7lecare, Giant Network’s Healthcare Division, Daxiang Doctors, Anxin Doctors, Medlinker, Weiyi, Haorensheng, Miaoshou Doctors, Saito Sunshine Dental Hospital, and Shenghe Mobile Intelligence, thrusting Yinchuan City into the spotlight as a focal point of the internet healthcare sector.

Meanwhile, Yinchuan City has introduced three new policies: “Access and Grading System for Licensed Physicians in Internet Hospitals,” “Detailed Implementation Rules for the Administration of Internet Hospitals in Yinchuan City (Trial),” and “Administrative Measures for Medical Insurance Personal Accounts and Outpatient Pooling in Internet Hospitals in Yinchuan City (Trial).” These measures further refine regulations concerning physician professional titles and integration with medical insurance systems.

Report

Internet Healthcare: From Racing for Market Share to Competing on Strength, Penetrating Core Medical Scenarios to Achieve Diversified Monetization [2017 Year-End Review]

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