AN innovative new “concierge telemedicine” service is being launched by an entrepreneurial doctor in Dundee.

Capitalising on the growth industry that is online medical services, Dr Bharti Rajput has created the first ever online podiatry service, aimed at increasing access and offering more time convenient consultations.

Dr Rajput, an ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland, launched Sole Body Soul in 2011 when she identified a gap in the market for quality footcare that encompasses the form, function and beauty of the feet. Often footcare is focused only on the treatment of skin and nails, and with her expertise in biomechanics and human movement, investigating the relationship of foot position to body function, Dr Rajput felt that this too was key.

But she gradually became aware of a need for a better service for people with problems, and her “concierge telemedicine” concept was brought to life.

“Patients often travel for three or four hours to see me, with problems that may be dermatological and could be solved with a foot expert’s visual assessment,” Dr Rajput says. “Furthermore, when people have foot pain they don’t automatically think ‘I need to visit a podiatrist’, they will often go to the pharmacy and buy a footpad, and if it doesn’t improve they might end up at their GP surgery and be given some painkillers.

“An online podiatry service may provide the opportunity for those with foot problems to triage their medical concern and follow the next best steps to seeking a solution. People lead busy lives and may not always be able to visit a clinic, so a consultation in the comfort of their own home is what I am trying to achieve from this concept.

“Also Scotland’s geographical nature means that in some of the more rural and remote regions, seeking medical advice may be difficult.”

She calls it “concierge telemedicine” because each solution is bespoke to the patient. The idea has been in development for three months and will allow the patient to detail their concern and upload some photos on the company website. They will then be offered a convenient time for an encrypted online video consultation. A recommendation will be made and they can often purchase the relevant product from the website itself. It is, says Dr Rajput, the next generation of footcare.

Being at the cutting edge of technology isn’t necessarily something you’d automatically consider for a business that is all about therapy and being hands-on, but it’s still important to lead the way and look for new and innovative ways to grow a business.

Dr Rajput, who will collect an MBE in February, explained: “Although you may not be able to directly provide hands on treatment, pointing patients in the right direction and avoiding a waste of money on foot pads, insoles, foot lotions and potions off the internet which may do more harm than good is the intention of the new service.”