The primary healthcare industry faces challenges to keep up with the increase in the demand for care and the decrease of the people available to care. Patients of the Dutch general practitioner practice in Goes can use the online triaging platform “Moet ik naar de Dokter” to assess the urgency of their medical issues. If seeing a doctor is not necessary, then patients will receive a self care advice presented by a Digital Human. The Digital Human is also able to answer non-medical FAQ questions patients might have.
The Digital Human is visually placed against a background of the actual waiting room area of the practice for additional recognition and comfort. Adding the human factor to medical advice enhances the trust patients have in this advice and makes it more likely patients will follow the advice. For even more rapport, the practice has launched a communication campaign around the Digital Human with banners in the waiting area and coverage in local media.