INTRODUCE YOURSELF
Christophe Barre: I am the Chief Operating Officer of clikOdoc, a pioneering startup in the field of e-health for over 2 years. clikOdoc is an all-in-one platform that simplifies the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals, covering the entire care pathway: appointment scheduling, walk-in consultations, and patient follow-up. Its mission is to transform access to healthcare by offering innovative digital solutions that streamline medical practice management, effectively connect healthcare actors, and improve the patient experience.
I have more than 10 years of experience in the tech industry, holding various positions such as project manager, chief of staff, strategy consultant, lobbyist, and diplomat. I spent 5 years in the United States, notably in San Francisco, working in the startup ecosystem, closely engaging with the American tech landscape.
At clikOdoc, I focus on structuring and implementing processes within our teams, defining development strategies, and seeking partnerships in France and internationally. Passionate about the transformative potential of technology, I dedicate myself to positioning clikOdoc as a key player in the digital transformation of e-health. My goal, along with that of our entire team, is simple: to deploy technologies that improve access to care, simplify the daily lives of healthcare professionals, and strengthen the connection between them and their patients.
WHY IS INTEROPERABILITY A PRIORITY IN THE DIGITAL HEALTH SECTOR TODAY?
Interoperability is crucial to meeting the growing expectations of professionals who want to choose the tools that provide them with maximum efficiency, and for patients who need fast and effective care. It allows different digital solutions—whether for patient record management, appointment scheduling, or billing—to communicate with each other and offer a multitude of choices to professionals. This fluidity not only simplifies the lives of healthcare professionals but also accelerates innovation by enabling collaboration and, consequently, improving the overall quality of care.
AT CLIKODOC, WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING INTEROPERABILITY, AND HOW DO YOU PROMOTE IT?
At clikOdoc, we have opted for maximum openness. We collaborate with all platforms and software that wish to work with us, including competitors, to ensure maximum compatibility of solutions. We believe our tool is even more effective when connected to complementary solutions. We use universal standards such as the HL7 format to facilitate data exchange between medical software and always engage in discussions with potential partners. We are also proactive in seeking solutions to integrate with ours.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT OBSTACLES TO INTEROPERABILITY IN DIGITAL HEALTH?
One of the main challenges lies in the willingness of some major tech players to lock their ecosystems by imposing their own tools. This approach limits the plurality of actors, stifles innovation, and ultimately hinders the efficiency of healthcare professionals. Healthy competition is beneficial, both in specialized software and appointment scheduling platforms. On the contrary, we advocate for an open ecosystem where each solution brings its expertise to foster collaboration and innovation.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT PLAY IN DEVELOPING INTEROPERABILITY?
The Ségur de la Santé initiative marked a significant step forward by placing interoperability at the heart of priorities. By making the compatibility of digital solutions mandatory in public procurement criteria, the government encourages diversity, stimulates competition, and fosters innovation. The plurality of actors will help maintain France's position as a leader in e-health innovation. The state's role is therefore essential in allowing all players to thrive within this ecosystem.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF E-HEALTH IN FRANCE AND INTERNATIONALLY?
We are convinced that French solutions have great prospects internationally. France has built a strong reputation in both the healthcare and tech industries. Today, medical needs are growing exponentially worldwide, primarily due to the aging population. However, the increase in the number of doctors is struggling to keep pace, creating an imbalance between supply and demand. Meanwhile, patient expectations are evolving: they seek more personalized support and optimized care throughout their journey.
This complex equation calls for innovative solutions, and e-health technologies play a key role in addressing these challenges while limiting increases in healthcare spending. The opportunities for development are immense. The digitization of healthcare is still in its early stages, both in developed and emerging countries. This again highlights the ability of French actors to connect with existing solutions internationally to succeed in this expansion.
Christophe Barre: I am the Chief Operating Officer of clikOdoc, a pioneering startup in the field of e-health for over 2 years. clikOdoc is an all-in-one platform that simplifies the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals, covering the entire care pathway: appointment scheduling, walk-in consultations, and patient follow-up. Its mission is to transform access to healthcare by offering innovative digital solutions that streamline medical practice management, effectively connect healthcare actors, and improve the patient experience.
I have more than 10 years of experience in the tech industry, holding various positions such as project manager, chief of staff, strategy consultant, lobbyist, and diplomat. I spent 5 years in the United States, notably in San Francisco, working in the startup ecosystem, closely engaging with the American tech landscape.
At clikOdoc, I focus on structuring and implementing processes within our teams, defining development strategies, and seeking partnerships in France and internationally. Passionate about the transformative potential of technology, I dedicate myself to positioning clikOdoc as a key player in the digital transformation of e-health. My goal, along with that of our entire team, is simple: to deploy technologies that improve access to care, simplify the daily lives of healthcare professionals, and strengthen the connection between them and their patients.
WHY IS INTEROPERABILITY A PRIORITY IN THE DIGITAL HEALTH SECTOR TODAY?
Interoperability is crucial to meeting the growing expectations of professionals who want to choose the tools that provide them with maximum efficiency, and for patients who need fast and effective care. It allows different digital solutions—whether for patient record management, appointment scheduling, or billing—to communicate with each other and offer a multitude of choices to professionals. This fluidity not only simplifies the lives of healthcare professionals but also accelerates innovation by enabling collaboration and, consequently, improving the overall quality of care.
AT CLIKODOC, WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING INTEROPERABILITY, AND HOW DO YOU PROMOTE IT?
At clikOdoc, we have opted for maximum openness. We collaborate with all platforms and software that wish to work with us, including competitors, to ensure maximum compatibility of solutions. We believe our tool is even more effective when connected to complementary solutions. We use universal standards such as the HL7 format to facilitate data exchange between medical software and always engage in discussions with potential partners. We are also proactive in seeking solutions to integrate with ours.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT OBSTACLES TO INTEROPERABILITY IN DIGITAL HEALTH?
One of the main challenges lies in the willingness of some major tech players to lock their ecosystems by imposing their own tools. This approach limits the plurality of actors, stifles innovation, and ultimately hinders the efficiency of healthcare professionals. Healthy competition is beneficial, both in specialized software and appointment scheduling platforms. On the contrary, we advocate for an open ecosystem where each solution brings its expertise to foster collaboration and innovation.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT PLAY IN DEVELOPING INTEROPERABILITY?
The Ségur de la Santé initiative marked a significant step forward by placing interoperability at the heart of priorities. By making the compatibility of digital solutions mandatory in public procurement criteria, the government encourages diversity, stimulates competition, and fosters innovation. The plurality of actors will help maintain France's position as a leader in e-health innovation. The state's role is therefore essential in allowing all players to thrive within this ecosystem.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF E-HEALTH IN FRANCE AND INTERNATIONALLY?
We are convinced that French solutions have great prospects internationally. France has built a strong reputation in both the healthcare and tech industries. Today, medical needs are growing exponentially worldwide, primarily due to the aging population. However, the increase in the number of doctors is struggling to keep pace, creating an imbalance between supply and demand. Meanwhile, patient expectations are evolving: they seek more personalized support and optimized care throughout their journey.
This complex equation calls for innovative solutions, and e-health technologies play a key role in addressing these challenges while limiting increases in healthcare spending. The opportunities for development are immense. The digitization of healthcare is still in its early stages, both in developed and emerging countries. This again highlights the ability of French actors to connect with existing solutions internationally to succeed in this expansion.
