Practice Management System
The Problem
Singapore TCM clinics — even large chains — are running on paper, Excel, or generic clinic software that doesn’t understand TCM workflows. The receptionist is the operational glue, and when they leave, institutional knowledge walks out the door.
No existing system handles the full TCM workflow: intake → consultation notes (pulse, tongue, pattern) → herb prescription → dispensing → payment → follow-up → repeat visit tracking.
The Opportunity
Build a TCM-native practice management system (PMS) — purpose-built for Singapore TCM clinics, PDPA-compliant by default, and designed around how TCM practitioners actually work.
Core Features
Patient Intake
- Digital intake form (tablet or QR code on arrival)
- NRIC / FIN capture with PDPA consent built in
- Visit history surfaced automatically for returning patients
- Insurance / MediShield eligibility check (future)
Consultation Module
- Physician-facing interface for recording TCM-specific observations:
- Pulse (浮沉迟数等)
- Tongue (color, coating, shape)
- Pattern differentiation (证型)
- Treatment principle
- Herb prescription builder with formula library (经典方 + custom)
- Acupuncture point selection tool with body diagram
- Voice-to-text note capture (saves time per consultation)
Dispensing & Inventory
- Links prescription directly to dispensary queue
- Tracks raw herb inventory and triggers reorder alerts
- Supports both granule and raw herb dispensing modes
- Labeling printer integration (herb packets, instructions)
Payment
- Integrated payment terminal (PayNow, Nets, card)
- Receipt generation with GST breakdown
- MediSave / insurance claim workflow (where applicable)
- Revenue dashboard per physician and per clinic branch
After-Care & Follow-Up
- Automated WhatsApp / SMS reminder at N days post-visit
- Chronic condition tracking: prompt physician if patient hasn’t returned within expected window
- Patient-facing app: view prescription history, book next appointment, ask questions
PDPA Compliance Layer
Every piece of patient data flows through a compliance layer:
- Consent captured at intake, stored with timestamp
- Data retention policy enforced automatically (7-year default per PDPC healthcare guidance)
- Access log for every record view
- Export / deletion tools for patient data requests
Business Model
| Tier | Target | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Independent practitioner | ~$80/month |
| Clinic | Single-location clinic (1-5 physicians) | ~$200/month |
| Chain | Multi-branch chain (5+ locations) | Custom / per-seat |
Go-to-Market
Start with independent practitioners — lower sales friction, faster feedback loop. Use their case studies to sell into small chains (Ma Kuang, Pulse TCM independents). Eventually pitch chain HQs (Eu Yan Sang, Raffles Chinese Medicine) as an enterprise deal.
Distribution lever: TCM practitioners in Singapore must renew their TCMPB registration periodically. Partner with TCM associations (TCMPA, STTCMA) to reach practitioners directly.
Risks
- PlatoMedical and similar already have some market penetration — need strong TCM-native differentiation
- Physician adoption requires workflow change; training investment is non-trivial
- PDPA compliance as a feature requires staying current with PDPC guidance
Status
Concept. No technical work started. Next step: 5 practitioner interviews to validate workflow assumptions.