Embracing the Future of Telehealth with Zanda and Zoom

Zanda Telehealth Lite and Plus

For many years, Zanda (formerly Power Diary) has proudly offered two telehealth services: Lite and Plus. Our Lite service has been free and unlimited, providing essential telehealth capabilities, while Plus offered additional features like group meetings for a fee. Both services were built on WebRTC technology, which was the best available solution during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic due to its security and privacy features.

However, technology evolves, and so do the needs of our practitioners and their clients. Recently, one of our key technology partners, Twilio, announced they are sunsetting their video services. This means we would need to substantially rebuild our telehealth offering.

Moreover, WebRTC has inherent limitations that have increasingly affected user experience:

Browser Compatibility Issues: WebRTC often requires the latest browsers to function properly, which can be a hurdle for clients using older devices or operating systems.
Sensitivity to Internet Connection: It is highly sensitive to internet connection quality, leading to disruptions or degraded call quality in areas with unstable internet.
Network Configuration Challenges: WebRTC can be affected by network settings such as port blocking or strict firewalls, making it unreliable in certain corporate or institutional networks.
Limited Scalability: Handling group calls or larger meetings can strain the system, resulting in performance issues.
Device Compatibility: Some mobile devices and tablets may not fully support WebRTC, limiting accessibility for clients on the go.

As a result, while our telehealth services have been widely used and appreciated, these technical issues have sometimes hindered the seamless experience we strive to provide.

Why We're Transitioning to Zoom

Twilio announcing its exit from the market was a pivotal moment and prompted us to reassess our telehealth platform. After careful consideration, we've decided to transition Zanda's telehealth services to be powered by Zoom. Here's why Zoom is an excellent choice:

Unparalleled Reliability: Zoom is renowned for its stability and consistent performance, minimizing disruptions during important consultations.
User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design makes it easy for practitioners and clients of all ages to navigate, reducing technical barriers to care.
Global Recognition: Almost everyone globally has used or is familiar with Zoom, easing the transition and reducing the learning curve.
Advanced Features: High-quality video and audio, screen sharing, breakout rooms, and group meetings enhance the telehealth experience.
Enhanced Security: Zoom offers robust security measures, including end-to-end encryption, to protect sensitive health information.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: Zoom works seamlessly across various devices and operating systems, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

An Investment in Better Care

We understand that this change means some users will now incur a small charge for unlimited telehealth sessions, especially heavy users of the existing Lite service. However, we believe that for about $9 a month per practitioner (see pricing per region here), this investment is worthwhile considering the significant enhancements you'll receive:

Improved Quality: Experience clear video and audio, ensuring that communication is as effective as possible.
Greater Accessibility: Fewer technical issues mean you and your clients can focus on the consultation, not troubleshooting.
Future-Proofing Your Practice: By adopting the leading platform in video communication, you're positioning your practice at the forefront of telehealth services.
See a detailed price breakdown here.

It's important to note that you won't need a separate Zoom license. If you're using our Pro plan, you can access all telehealth features within Zanda without any additional subscriptions. Additionally, the inclusion of free Pro sessions ensures that most Lite users won't have to pay extra. For those who use telehealth more frequently, the small additional cost translates into a much better and more reliable experience.

Supporting the Future of Healthcare

Telehealth is an increasingly important part of healthcare provision. By embracing this change, you're not just adapting to new technology; you're investing in the future of your practice and the well-being of your clients. The world of healthcare is rapidly evolving, and we want to ensure you're equipped with the best tools available.

Consider this analogy: a telehealth consult creates a 'room' where the interaction between the patient and practitioner occurs. Just like a physical room, this virtual space needs to be comfortable, easy to enter and exit, and have good 'acoustics' to facilitate clear communication. It should be secure and reliable—not randomly unavailable, hard to access for some patients, or prone to interruptions. Zoom provides this ideal environment, allowing both you and your clients to focus entirely on the consultation.

Why the Change is Necessary

We know no one wants to start paying for something they previously received for free. However, our primary goal is to provide you with the best possible telehealth experience. The transition to Zoom is not about generating revenue. The modest charge helps offset the significant costs involved in providing this enhanced service. We're confident that the benefits far outweigh the costs, ensuring you can deliver the highest standard of care to your clients.

Looking Ahead

It was the right decision to use WebRTC technology at the time, but like all technology, it evolves. We've observed that other telehealth providers using WebRTC face similar issues—quality problems, connection issues, and degraded performance during group calls. In contrast, Zoom has consistently demonstrated superior performance without these common issues.

By moving to Zoom, we're proactively addressing the limitations of the existing technology and setting a new standard for telehealth services. We're committed to supporting you through this transition and ensuring it adds value to your practice.

We're Here for You

We value your trust and understand that changes like this can raise questions or concerns. Our dedicated support team is here to assist you every step of the way. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any help or have feedback to share.

Thank you for being a part of the Zanda community. Together, we're embracing the future of healthcare and ensuring that you have the best tools to succeed.