In 2018, brothers Naresh and Haresh Ahuja of SMS Scientific Products Pvt Ltd, accompanied their father to a prostate consultation at Leelavati Hospital, Mumbai’s premier healthcare facility. Despite being a leading hospital, the doctor faced challenges explaining the necessary procedure, resorting to rough sketches on paper slips. This left the family feeling more confused when leaving the consultation room than when they had entered.
This experience sparked a realization of a significant communication gap between doctors and patients. Motivated to address this issue, the brothers decided to devise solutions. Recognizing the lack of available material and convenient tools for effective and simple communication across diverse patient demographics, they conceptualized and gave birth to Science for Doctors (SFD). This innovative concept marked a revolutionary step in the realm of Patient Education (PE).
What sets SMS apart is their meticulous approach to product design and crafting, considering the unique requirements of doctors. Through consultations with medical experts, their products are purposefully created to offer genuine utility and quality, surpassing superficial solutions.
The SFD range, specifically designed for doctors, stands out for its unique ability to educate patients in an easily understandable format. This aids patients in better comprehending and managing their conditions, facilitating doctors in explaining diseases and interacting with patients at their level of understanding, according to Naresh Ahuja, Founder and CEO, SMS.
Originally, patient education products consisted of wall hanging charts, leaflets, and a limited range of anatomical models. However, SMS took the lead by introducing an innovative range of products that had never been seen before, creating a win-win situation for patients, doctors, and pharmaceutical sponsors.
Patients are empowered through engaging and highly interactive consultations with doctors, where they receive easy-to-understand and relevant information. The content, rich in images, is curated by medical specialists and the SMS design team. Patients leave the doctor’s chamber fully satisfied, armed with accurate knowledge about their disease and its management, enabling them to make informed decisions about their condition.
Doctors appreciate the SFD consultation tools for their ability to simplify communication of complex issues. These tools not only save time spent on each patient but also serve as a checklist, preventing the omission of relevant points. The accessibility of SFD products, designed as desktop tools, adds to their appeal. The “write n wipe” feature allows doctors to use a whiteboard marker for effective communication, and wiping off with a duster promotes sustainability by saving paper. The evidenced and referenced medical content ensures the communication of accurate and precise information, while handcrafted anatomical models showcase disease progression and complex conditions in an attractive design, making them an indispensable part of a doctor’s toolkit.
“Pharmaceutical sponsors find the SFD range to be an effective and novel product for brand reminder/recall. The frequent use by doctors and the product always being within arm’s reach make it an enduring tool. Its sturdy construction and use of high-performance plastic, which is recyclable, contribute to its durability. Pharmaceutical sponsors see the value in using these tools for public service initiatives in patient education,” said Naresh Ahuja.
SMS offers a comprehensive solution, starting from discussions and meetings about the topics to be covered, through the creation of product content, slide design, product development, manufacturing, and finally, delivery to pharmaceutical sponsors. The entire process is handled by SMS with a complete professional setup, ensuring a timely and seamless journey from design to delivery.
“We recognize the significant gap in patient education, an area that demands attention. At SMS, we believe that for treatments to be genuinely effective, patients must be empowered with correct, precise, and accurate information tailored to their specific conditions, provided by their doctors. We understand that a proper understanding of medical information is pivotal, constituting half the battle toward successful treatment,” he added.
In a country like India, characterized by low literacy rates and a multitude of languages, addressing this challenge becomes even more crucial and relevant. SMS is enthusiastic about taking the lead in this transformative journey to enhance patient education. We are committed to revolutionizing the way consultations take place between doctors and patients, contributing to an improved and more meaningful doctor-patient conversation. Our goal is to bridge the existing gaps and empower patients with the knowledge necessary for active participation in their healthcare journey.
