年轻的企业家带来高科技来平息对外科手术的恐惧

乔治·克拉姆（George Kramb）最不希望看到的是，多年来，外科医生一直在使用医疗设备进行实际手术，他要扮演的角色是帮助全世界的患者完成他们自己的医疗旅程。

克拉姆（上图，左图）和他的合伙人帕特里克·弗兰克（Patrick Frank）被列入“2021福布斯30岁以下30人”榜单，以表彰他们在共同创立Rightdevice方面的努力，成为商界的新星。《福布斯》每年都会评选出30岁以下青年企业家、活动家、科学家和艺人。

Kramb和Frank利用他们在医疗技术和病人护理方面多年的经验，开发了一种方法，将令人生畏的手术过程转变成一种积极和舒适的体验。

Rightdevice通过相关体验连接患者。PatientPartner计划是第一个将术前病人与完全康复的病人直接联系起来的服务，这些病人经历了同样的手术，通常是同一个外科医生。

尽管Rightdevice的联合创始人远离医生，但他们每天都与患者、患者合作伙伴、外科医生以及医疗行业的代表保持联系。

克拉姆告诉TechNewsWorld，这些对话的共同主题是“我希望我在做手术的时候有这个”，或者“为什么我不早点知道这个？”或者从外科医生的角度来看，“我试着为我的实践做一些类似的事情，但我找不到时间和资源去做。”

“这类评论告诉我们，患者群体和行业都需要这样做；听到这类评论，我们每天都在提醒自己，我们的使命是让医疗保健成为一个更好的地方，一个病人一个时间，”他断言。

他们入选福布斯年度榜单，凸显了Rightdevice未来工作的重要性，联合创始人弗兰克补充道。

他在接受TechNewsWorld采访时说：“福布斯的这一称号让我们想起了摆在我们面前的所有工作，这些工作将推动医疗保健界产生长期影响。

项目目标

这个PatientPartner计划旨在帮助外科医生、医院和设备公司通过创造独一无二的患者体验，建立一个长期的患者转诊网络。采用点对点的方法进行患者宣传，使用户有机会从实际经验中学习。它还可以帮助患者通过互联互通获得更成功的结果。

PatientPartner的使命是通过提供个性化的一对一支持，通过相关的体验来增强和教育患者，Frank指出。通过这样做，联合创始人希望建立一个由有能力和受过教育的患者与一组世界级的医生组成的网络。

弗兰克说：“我们希望将患者体验带到医疗行业的前沿。”。

联合创始人希望今年将这项任务扩展到几个外科学科，并计划在2021年底拥有500多名患者合作伙伴。克拉姆指出，PatientPartner计划完美地融合了外科医生的需求、医院提供的服务以及行业如何参与患者参与。

到达那里

凌晨5点，当一个嗡嗡作响的电话向克拉姆发短信祝贺时，这对企业家夫妇得知了他们入选2021年福布斯30岁以下富豪榜的消息。

他不知道是什么。福布斯的过程非常隐秘。直到克兰普在福布斯网站的技术部分搜索到他和弗兰克的照片，他才开始明白这两个人是从成千上万的申请者中挑选出来的。

弗兰克说，申请过程绝对不简单，而且需要付出大量的工作、思考和努力。

“要想进入名单，你实际上要经过几个步骤！是的，你必须申请，如果你的共同创始人都不到30岁，你们两个都必须申请。”。

如果你在这一过程中取得进展，申请人必须撰写个人论文，内容包括讨论企业、对经济状况的看法，以及个人经历，如“你收到过的最糟糕的建议”

那么你必须提供参考资料。在某些情况下，申请人会进行后续面试。

幕后

TechNewsWorld与Kramb和Frank进一步探讨了正确的设备概念——以及PatientPartners是如何创建和发展的。

TechNewsWorld：福布斯对你的选择将如何促进Rightdevice项目的发展？

弗兰克：被选为30岁以下的人对我们的影响很大。医疗保健的消费者技术方面是一个总是对新来者持怀疑态度的行业。尤其是在创始人还二十几岁的时候。

这一称谓有助于验证我们所做的事情，并在与业内终身高管交谈时给予我们可信性。这种信任感也是我们平台的用户所需要的，这样才能知道我们提供的东西虽然新奇，但却是可信的。

TNW：您是如何想到开发合适的设备平台的？

克拉姆：在启动Rightdevice之前，我是一名医疗器械代表，这要求我在手术室帮助外科医生进行手术。我做过几百次手术，甚至有机会见到和认识一些病人。

这让我看到了外科界一个巨大的未得到满足的需求。从这些耐心的谈话中，我看到了这种经历中有多么大的压力、恐惧和不确定性，我想改变这种状况。就在那时，我与帕特里克合作建立了一家公司，将从根本上改变患者在手术过程中的导航方式。

TNW：你的背景如何特别适合医疗或病人的需要？

克拉姆：我的整个职业生涯都在病人护理和直接与外科医生合作，我在这个行业有一个与众不同的方面。我已经能够和经历这些手术的病人进行术前和术后的交谈。

在手术室工作，我了解医院和手术中心是如何运作的，是什么激励他们，以及如何提高效率。与外科医生一起工作，我知道他们的痛点，什么需要改进，以及如何实现技术来做到这一点。

帕特里克的背景更多的是在消费者技术方面，通过技术赋予消费者权力。由于我们的消费者最终是患者，它最终成为我们构建平台所需的完美结合。

TNW：PatientPartner计划是如何运作的？

弗兰克：我们把手术前的病人和完全康复的病人联系起来，他们已经经历了同样的手术，而且在很多情况下是同一个外科医生。我们使用专利申请中的匹配系统，使用人工智能和机器学习来为准备手术的患者治疗最相关的连接。

我们的合作伙伴没有得到补偿，他们自愿抽出时间来回馈他人。正因为如此，我们要延续利他和回馈的意识。这就是为什么我们捐赠给一个慈善机构的病人的选择，每一个对话，他们与一个即将到来的病人在我们的平台上。

TNW：您计划在未来提供哪些附加服务？

克拉姆：我们计划在2021年推出一些功能。他们都专注于在我们的平台上创造世界级的体验。我们将自动调度功能，无论是电话和预约外科医生办公室。

此外，除了我们的标准电话服务外，我们还将允许通过缩放、文本和电子邮件进行不同类型的连接。最后增加的是一个患者门户，患者可以在这里找到并跟踪他们需要的一切，以便为手术和术后恢复做最好的准备。

TNW：您在开发合适的设备平台时遇到了哪些障碍？

弗兰克：我们遇到的最大的障碍是从来没有过这样的事情。这是一些病人已经做了他们的密切网络。但不是每个人都有这种奢侈。

也就是说，障碍是患者教育和与患者建立信任。在医疗保健领域，人们总是对新想法持怀疑态度，并确保患者知道我们是免费为他们服务的，他们得到的建议并不是来自某个获得报酬的人。这个问题一直是我们跨越的最重要障碍

原文题：Young Entrepreneurs Bring High Tech to Quell Surgical Fears

原文：The last thing George Kramb expected from years of walking surgeons through actual operations using medical machinery was to step into a role that helped guide patients worldwide through their own medical journeys.

Kramb (above, pictured left) and his partner, Patrick Frank, are listed on the "2021 Forbes 30 Under 30" list in recognition of their status as rising stars in the business world for their efforts in cofounding Rightdevice. Every year, Forbes recognizes young entrepreneurs, activists, scientists and entertainers for the 30 Under 30 list.

Kramb and Frank used their years of experience in medical technology and patient care to develop a way to turn the daunting surgical process into a positive and comforting experience.

Rightdevice connects patients through relatable experiences. It's PatientPartner program is the first service that connects pre-surgical patients directly with fully recovered patients who went through the same surgery, often with the same surgeon.

Though far from doctors themselves, Rightdevice's cofounders are on calls every day with patients, patient partners, surgeons, and representatives from the healthcare industry.

Kramb told TechNewsWorld that the common thread from these conversations is the same theme of, "I wish I had this when I went through my surgery," or "Why did I not know about this sooner?" Or from a surgeon's perspective, "I tried to do something similar for my practice, but I couldn't find the time or resources to do it."

"These types of comments tell us that both the patient population and the industry need this; hearing these types of comments reminds us every day of the mission we are on to make healthcare a better place, one patient at a time," he asserted.

Their selection to the Forbes annual list underscores the importance of the work still ahead for Rightdevice, added cofounder Frank.

"This designation from Forbes reminds us of all of the work we have in front of us to build something that will drive long-term impact in the healthcare community, he told TechNewsWorld.

Program Goals

This PatientPartner program is designed to assist surgeons, hospitals, and device companies in building a long-term referral network of patients by creating a one-of-a-kind patient experience. The peer-to-peer approach to patient advocacy gives users the opportunity to learn from real experiences. It also helps empower patients to achieve more successful outcomes through connectivity.

PatientPartner's mission is to empower and educate patients by providing personalized one-on-one support all through relatable experiences, noted Frank. By doing this, the cofounders hope to build a network of empowered and educated patients paired with a group of world-class physicians.

"We want to take patient experience to the forefront of the healthcare industry," Frank said.

The cofounders hope to expand that mission this year into several surgical disciplines and project to have over 500 PatientPartners at the end of 2021. The PatientPartner program is a perfect blend of what surgeons are needing, what hospitals are providing, and how the industry can participate in patient engagement, Kramb noted.

Getting There

The entrepreneurial pair learned about their selection for the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list at 5:00 a.m. when a buzzing phone texted Kramb with congratulations.

He had no idea for what. The Forbes process is very secretive. I was not until Kramp combed through the technology section of the Forbes website to find his and Frank's picture that he began to understand that the two made the cut from among thousands of applicants.

The application process is definitely not simple; and took a lot of work, thought, and effort, according to Frank.

"To make it onto the list, you actually have to go through several steps! Yes, you have to apply, and in the case where your cofounders are both under 30, both of you have to apply," he said.

If you move forward in the process, applicants must write personal essays that range from discussing the business, thoughts on the state of the economy, and personal experiences such as "the worst advice you have ever received."

Then you have to supply references. In some cases, applicants have a follow-up interview.

Behind the Scenes

TechNewsWorld further explored with Kramb and Frank the Rightdevice concept -- and how PatientPartners was created and developed.

TechNewsWorld: How might your selection by Forbes contribute to the growth of the Rightdevice program?

Frank: Being selected for the Under 30 designation impacts us in a tremendous way. The consumer technology side of healthcare is an industry that is always skeptical of newcomers. Especially when the founders are still in their twenties.

This designation helps validate what we are doing and gives us credibility when talking with tenured executives in the industry. This sense of trust is also something that users of our platforms need in order to know that what we are providing though novel, is trusted.

TNW: How did you get the idea for developing the Rightdevice platform?

Kramb: Prior to starting Rightdevice, I was a medical device representative, which required me to be in the operating room helping the surgeon perform surgery. I was in hundreds of operations and even had the opportunity to meet and know a few of the patients.

That led me to see a huge unmet need in the surgical world. From these patient conversations, I saw how much stress, fear, and uncertainty there was in this experience and wanted to change that. That's when I paired up with Patrick to build a company that will radically change the way patients navigate through their surgical journey.

TNW: How are your backgrounds particularly tuned into medical or patient needs?

Kramb: Spending my entire career in both patient care and in roles working directly with surgeons, I have a unique aspect of the industry unlike many others. I have been able to talk with patients going through these operations both pre- and post-operatively.

Working in the surgical suite, I understand how hospitals and surgery centers operate, what motivates them, and how to make it more efficient. Working with surgeons, I know their pain points, what needs improvement, and how to implement technology to do so.

Patrick's background is much more on the consumer technology side and empowering consumers through technology. With our consumers ultimately being patients, it ended up being the perfect blend of what we needed to build our platform.

TNW: How does PatientPartner program work?

Frank: We connect pre-operative patients to fully recovered patients who have already been through the same surgery -- and in many cases with the same surgeon. We use a proprietary patent-pending matching system that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to curate the most relatable connections for patients who are preparing for surgery.

Our PatientPartners are not compensated and freely volunteer their time to give back to others. Because of this, we want to continue the sense of altruism and giving back. That is why we donate to a charity of the PatientPartner's choice for every conversation that they have with an incoming patient on our platform.

TNW: What additional services do you have planned for the future?

Kramb: We plan on rolling out several features going into 2021. They all focus on creating a world-class experience on our platform. We will be automating the scheduling features, both for calls and booking appointments with surgeon offices.

Also, we will be allowing for different types of connections via Zoom, text, and email, in addition to our standard phone call offering. The last addition will be a patient portal where patients can find and keep track of everything that they need to best prepare for their surgery and for post-op recovery.

TNW: What hurdles did you confront in developing the Rightdevice platform?

Frank: The largest hurdle we have encountered is that nothing like this has ever existed. It is something that a few patients have already done with their close network. But not everyone has this luxury.

That being said, that hurdle is patient education and building trust with patients. In healthcare, there is always skepticism with new ideas and ensuring that patients know that we are here for them, for free, and the advice they are getting is not coming from someone who is being paid. That issue has been the most important hurdle for us to scale across