Background and Role
Ben Hurst is the CEO and Co-Founder of HotDoc, a leading patient engagement platform based in Australia. HotDoc provides various services, such as online bookings, recalls, reminders, and more, targeted at enhancing the healthcare experience for both patients and healthcare providers. HotDoc has grown significantly under Ben's leadership, becoming Australia's largest patient engagement platform with over 1 million bookings per month and partnerships expanding into the specialist space.
Career Path and Notable Achievements
Ben Hurst's career has been marked by a distinctive path, evolving from a doctor to an entrepreneur. He studied medicine at Melbourne University and completed his clinical training at Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he developed a particular interest in psychiatry. His professional journey includes work as an Emergency Resident and a Psychiatry Registrar in a rehabilitation unit at Port Phillip Prison. This experience was pivotal in shaping his professional ethos, particularly the principles of patient care and ethical practice.
Career Transition
- Internship and Residency: Geelong intern, Warrnambool ED resident
- Clinical Experience: Psychiatry Registrar at Port Phillip Prison
- Entrepreneurial Ventures: Transitioned from medicine to founding HotDoc
Establishing HotDoc
Driven by personal observations of the challenges faced by doctors, notably his mother who is a GP, Ben Hurst aimed to create solutions for administrative burdens in healthcare. This vision led to the founding of HotDoc in 2012, initially focusing on online bookings.
Key Growth Milestones
- Initial Development: Utilized his mother's clinic for initial product trials
- Product Expansion: From online bookings to a comprehensive suite of services, including recalls, reminders, check-ins, payments, and more
- Market Position: HotDoc now sees over 1 million bookings per month and has over 14,000 GP users
Ethical Foundation
Ben Hurst emphasizes a values-driven approach focusing on three core values:
- Always Be Empathetic
- Take Ownership
- Speak Up
These values are instilled within the company culture and are pivotal in recruitment and daily operations at HotDoc.
Professional Interests and Public Engagement
Ben is an engaged public speaker and thought leader in the healthcare technology space. He has made multiple appearances on platforms such as Talking HealthTech and various healthcare podcasts, where he discusses the future of healthcare delivery and patient engagement.
Selected Media Appearances
- Talking HealthTech Podcast: Discusses the increasing demand for accessible and efficient healthcare services
- Build It. They'll Come Podcast: Shares the journey and challenges of building HotDoc
- HealthTechX Podcast: Explores patient engagement and the evolution of healthcare technology
Personal Insights
Ben Hurst's personal interests dovetail with his professional life. He has a notable interest in chess, fiction, and storytelling. These interests influence his leadership style, often using metaphorical storytelling to communicate with his team.
Academic and Creative Pursuits
- Studied Medicine: Melbourne University
- Creative Writing: Pursued novel writing under the mentorship of Patrick McGrath in New York
Conclusion
Ben Hurst's unique blend of medical expertise, ethical commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit has significantly contributed to making HotDoc a notable player in the health tech industry. His leadership continues to drive the company's growth, emphasizing innovation, patient care, and ethical business practices.
