Sunrise, Fla., Nov. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MDLIVE, a leading virtual medical and behavioral healthcare provider, today announced the launch of Sophie, an artificial intelligence-powered personal health assistant. This marks the first usage of a chatbot by a virtual care platform and a new method of increasing utilization among consumers by resolving one of the biggest barriers to adoption: registration.
Sophie aims to improve the platform user experience by creating a tailored, conversational registration process for each individual. Conversation is initiated with a user based on demographics and information entered throughout the registration interaction.
“The launch of Sophie supports one of our primary goals of improving the overall virtual care experience for consumers. Virtual care is intended to be a convenient and appropriate alternative to an emergency room or urgent care visit, but oftentimes the registration process is so cumbersome that it removes the convenience factor,” said Randy Parker, founder and chief business development officer of MDLIVE. “As technology continues to advance, and consumers demand more convenience associated with their care, healthcare must meet that demand. MDLIVE’s ability to do this breaks a barrier that historically has prevented consumers from embracing virtual care.”
Sophie is just one of the breakthroughs marking the rise of artificial intelligence adoption in healthcare. The use of this technology can result in substantial improvements, including reducing costs, coordinating care more effectively, enhancing the experience between patient and physician and improving the overall consumer experience. For virtual care, artificial intelligence helps strike a balance between human interaction and technology, creating a more personalized experience for the consumer.
Sophie’s name is rooted in Greek ideology and symbolizes “wisdom.” The chatbot’s abilities to recognize registration-related commands and address these needs will continue to advance as utilization of it progresses.
For more information, visit the MDLIVE website or text ‘SOPHIE’ to MDLIVE (635483).
About MDLIVE
Founded in 2009, MDLIVE is a visionary and pioneer in the digital delivery of high-quality, convenient, cost-efficient virtual care for medical and behavioral health conditions. The company provides consumers, health plans, health systems and self-insured employers with 24/7/365 access to its network of board-certified doctors and licensed therapists via secure online video, and phone through the MDLIVE service and technology platform. Registered users can receive a virtual consultation through the company’s HIPAA and PHI-compliant secure, cloud-based platform from home or on the go. To learn more about how MDLIVE is using telehealth innovations to improve the delivery of healthcare, visit www.MDLIVE.com.
###
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a9a6fd1f-2bf6-4774-8c0b-44fceab01e3b