The telemedicine landscape has expanded rapidly, but providing medical care within the social care sector presents unique challenges. French startup TokTokDoc has carved a niche for itself by focusing on this specific area, offering a blend of digital technology and human support to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Founded in 2016, the company now works with over 600 organizations and generates nearly €10 million in revenue.
Bridging the Gap in Social Care Telemedicine
TokTokDoc differentiates itself from direct-to-consumer telemedicine platforms through its “accompanied teleconsultation” model. This means a patient is never alone during a virtual appointment. a nurse is always present to assist. This approach aims to prevent healthcare disparities and ensure safe, effective care. According to the company, this accompaniment also enables guided procedures remotely, particularly in specialties like cardiology.
Addressing the Unique Needs of Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-term care facilities, or Établissements d’Hébergement pour Personnes Âgées Dépendantes (EHPADs) in France, face particular logistical hurdles. High staff turnover is a constant issue, making continuity of care difficult to maintain. TokTokDoc addresses this by providing a structured organization that includes secretarial support, specialist physicians, and a general medicine on-call service with a response time of under three days. The company also maintains a network of approximately 150 regular physicians.
The “Last Kilometer” of Care and Mobile Polyclinics
TokTokDoc is also developing a “mobile polyclinic” project to further enhance access to care. This initiative involves a mobile nurse accompanying consultations, aiming to bridge the gap between hospitals, EHPADs, and patients receiving care at home. Currently, funding for this service often comes directly from the facilities themselves. The company’s goal is to secure sustainable, mainstream funding through the French national health insurance system (Assurance Maladie) and public authorities. A renewal of funding has been obtained from the regional health agency (ARS), but the focus remains on establishing a stable financial model.
Data Security and a Conscious Decision Against AI
Data security is paramount in healthcare, and TokTokDoc prioritizes the protection of patient information. The company hosts its data on Microsoft Azure servers located in Paris and Marseille. Notably, TokTokDoc has made a deliberate decision not to monetize or leverage patient data, nor to process it using artificial intelligence, citing security concerns.
This stance is a direct response to a previous experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. While TokTokDoc developed an algorithmic tool for monitoring patients during the crisis, the company chose not to integrate it into its core platform. As the company explained, this decision stemmed from a commitment to preventing data circulation and exploitation for commercial purposes. “TokTokDoc abandoned this path by choice: we do not want to monetize health data,” the company stated. “Our priority remains the organization of care and the support of patients, not the construction of an economic model based on data.”
Looking Ahead to 2026-2027
TokTokDoc’s priorities for center on expanding its service offerings and addressing the challenges of the “last kilometer” of care – specifically, the transition from institutional care to patients’ homes. The company recognizes that gaps still exist between EHPADs, hospitals, and home-based care, and aims to improve continuity of care across these settings.
The company’s approach reflects a broader trend towards integrating technology into social care, but with a strong emphasis on the human element. By combining digital tools with the support of healthcare professionals, TokTokDoc seeks to provide accessible, personalized care for those who need it most.
