Greece’s breathtaking islands and rich cultural heritage draw millions of visitors each year, but behind the beautiful scenes lies a healthcare system facing unique challenges. The constantly changing field of healthcare demands innovation and adaptability, especially in regions where geographical obstacles and a high number of tourists strain local resources. Greece, with its dual challenge of serving a large local population and countless tourists, relies on visionary leaders to bridge these gaps and ensure that high-quality medical services are available to all who need them.
Dr. Dimitris Koliniatis is prominent among these leaders for his story of not just professional success but also dedication to a greater cause. As the CEO of Athens Assistance, Dr. Koliniatis has dedicated his career to improving healthcare accessibility and quality for both residents and visitors in Greece. His progression from medical student to CEO of a top travel medical assistance firm showcases his dedication to healthcare innovation. Athens Assistance, under his leadership, has become a trusted provider of medical and travel assistance services, specializing in aeromedical retrieval and transport.
Let’s understand how Dr. Dimitris Koliniatis and Athens Assistance are revolutionizing healthcare in Greece through innovation and dedication!
A Visionary Beginning
Dr. Dimitris Koliniatis’s path to founding Athens Assistance was shaped by a diverse and rich educational background. “After my high school studies in Ionidios Model School, I graduated from the Medical School of Athens Kapodistrian University and specialized in General Surgery in Tzanio hospital,” Dr. Koliniatis recalls. His journey took him across continents, earning a Master in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport from Otago University in New Zealand. This international exposure laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in medical assistance and aeromedical services.
The inception of Athens Assistance was a response to the growing global demand for medical and travel assistance services. “Back in 1993, I was co-founder of SOS Doctors in Athens, a company that provides house call medical services,” says Dr. Koliniatis. This early experience highlighted the need for reliable medical assistance, particularly for the millions of visitors to Greece each year. Thus, Athens Assistance was born, with a mission to provide top-notch travel medical assistance and aeromedical services, as an emergency, all over the world, around the clock, bridging the gap between local healthcare capabilities and the needs of travelers.
Overcoming Early Challenges
The early days of Athens Assistance were marked by both inspiration and significant challenges. Dr. Koliniatis describes the initial hurdles: “The worldwide expansion of travels for leisure, business, studies, expatriation, etc., born both the inspiration and the need to provide access to health care services according to international standards anywhere at any time.” Establishing a specialized network of companies and providers capable of offering efficient solutions worldwide was no small feat. “Prehospital, interhospital, and posthospital care had to be redefined to overpass national health systems and cross-border sanitary services,” he explains.
The development of common protocols and guidelines for managing cases internationally was crucial. This required creating global alliances and networks, and leveraging the specialized medical knowledge accumulated from diverse health systems. As Dr. Koliniatis puts it, “Gradually this evolved and matured along with the progress in communication, transportation, aviation, in portable medical equipment, in the level of health care systems and the developments in terms of hospital care, in an eventually digital world, that permits rapid transmission of information and teleservices.”
Evolution and Innovation
One of the first strategic moves for Athens Assistance was to join an international group of similar assistance companies. “We participated in a newly formed international group along with other similar assistance companies worldwide, establishing a medical structure with an in-house medical desk,” Dr. Koliniatis explains.
He further emphasizes the importance of this network: “The collaboration with esteemed consultant specialists helped to assure the safety of all medical decisions, since in the assistance field a main challenge is the provision of indicated care in an underdeveloped or inadequate environment of health facilities.” The formation of highly qualified and trained aeromedical teams equipped with innovative equipment, and the creation of protocols for managing various medical emergencies, were significant milestones in the company’s evolution.
Pioneering Telemedicine
Telemedicine has been a game-changer for Athens Assistance. “We were the first who established a telemedicine station in a private hospital in Athens back in 2002,” Dr. Koliniatis proudly states. This innovation allowed for the transfer of data, images, and diagnostic studies to leading professionals, enabling support for remote medical facilities and providing second medical opinions. The implementation of telemedicine significantly enhanced the company’s ability to manage difficult cases efficiently and effectively.
Another leap forward was the development of a software platform for medical information storage and transmission. This platform facilitated the rapid and accurate exchange of information, ensuring prompt action across multiple locations. “We are proud of the development of such software and a platform of information,” Dr. Koliniatis remarks. This technological advancement improved the speed and efficiency of medical responses and ensured the protection of personal data.
Insights into the Greek Healthcare System
“As every country, the Greek healthcare system has two sectors; the public one and the private one. They are strictly demarcated without channels of cooperation between them,” he notes. This lack of cooperation often results in challenges for patients and providers alike, particularly in the realm of extrahospital care.
One of the critical issues is the absence of regulations and accreditations for private medical transport services, including aeromedical transport. “This situation permits uncontrollable activity by providers not respecting the national legislation and the international guidelines and prerequisites,” Dr. Koliniatis explains. Athens Assistance distinguishes itself by adhering to international standards and maintaining complete malpractice insurance coverage, setting a high bar for quality and reliability.
The Role of Athens Assistance
In the face of these systemic challenges, Athens Assistance plays a crucial role in supporting patients and providers. “Since there is unequal distribution of healthcare capacities in islands and mainland and given that the public EMS aeromedical service is engaged only with life-saving emergencies, we are many times called by the providers—private and public—to help evacuate patients to tertiary level hospitals for upgrade to appropriate care,” Dr. Koliniatis says. The company’s reputation for reliable air ambulance transportation and medical repatriation has made it a trusted partner in the Greek healthcare sector.
Leveraging Technology
Athens Assistance’s operations are enriched by technology, improving patient experience and healthcare delivery. “Assistance is a dynamic field where technology has a principal role,” Dr. Koliniatis asserts. The integration of digital services into all aspects of activity has revolutionized the way the company operates. From facilitating traveler emergencies to sharing information through digital platforms, mobile applications, and messaging apps, technology has replaced traditional communication channels like emails and phone calls.
“The digital communication brings to the patient safety and enables a trustful direct relation with our 24/7 Alarm Center and Medical Desk,” Dr. Koliniatis explains. This system ensures that patients receive timely advice and instructions, enabling rapid collaboration with providers and healthcare personnel. The use of technology allows Athens Assistance to offer personalized care, travel safety, and efficient emergency medical services worldwide.
For aeromedical services, the combination of experience, knowledge, and advanced communication tools is essential. “We use practical applications to offer the best possible care,” Dr. Koliniatis states. Real-time data transfer and tracing the position of aircraft during missions enable the team to overcome any complications during a journey, which can be a matter of life or death.
Telemedicine remains a foundation of Athens Assistance’s service offerings. It helps overcome language barriers, social situations, and enhances patient confidence and safety. “Telemedicine is now in our everyday practice,” Dr. Koliniatis notes. This technology provides easy solutions and ensures that patients receive high-quality care, regardless of their location.
Patient-Centered Care
Athens Assistance’s commitment to patient-centered care sets it apart from other healthcare service providers in Greece. “I think that this is exactly the point that Athens Assistance is differentiated from other assistance companies not only in Greece, but also from many others worldwide,” Dr. Koliniatis observes. The company’s management and directorship come from a medical background, which ensures a focus on patient needs rather than just administrative tasks.
“We are the only company in Greece with these features: medical profile and infrastructure,” he adds. The in-house medical desk and aeromedical team operate 24/7, providing direct contact with patients and treating doctors. This model allows Athens Assistance to actively participate in the progress, monitoring, and outcome of medical cases, ensuring that decisions are made with a deep understanding of the patient’s medical needs.
The holistic approach to patient care extends beyond medical needs to encompass cultural, social, and financial aspects. “For example, a language barrier can be a significant problem, as also a crowded ward, when the care levels do not comply with the European sanitary standards,” Dr. Koliniatis explains. Athens Assistance focuses on providing integrated and coordinated care, addressing all aspects of the patient’s situation.
High-quality services are ensured through service level agreements and key performance indicators with providers. “We work collaboratively based on trust, empathy, dignity, and respect for the patient,” Dr. Koliniatis states. This approach aims to provide emotional support and relieve patients from fear and anxiety, ensuring a comprehensive and compassionate care experience.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Since 1993, the company has been a partner in the International Assistance Group, a coalition of leading assistance companies. “The Group incorporates also air ambulance companies, preferred providers and hospitals from many countries and ensures global coverage with local solutions,” Dr. Koliniatis explains. This collaboration has been instrumental in creating fitness to fly medical guidelines and a platform with a global network of local experts.
On a local level, Athens Assistance collaborates with all private hospitals in Greece. These hospitals often assign patient evacuations to Athens Assistance, recognizing the company’s expertise and reliability. “We also provide our medical/travel services to other assistance companies based in Greece, maritime companies, corporates, embassies, clubs, travel agencies and individuals,” Dr. Koliniatis notes. These partnerships ensure that Athens Assistance remains a trusted and integral part of the Greek healthcare system.
The Future of Athens Assistance
As Athens Assistance looks to the future, the focus remains on utilizing technology and expanding its network of partnerships. Dr. Koliniatis emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation: “The role of telemedicine is pivotal in overcoming language barriers and social situations, enhancing patient confidence and safety, and offering efficient solutions according to our standards.” The company aims to stay at the lead of technological advancements, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
Despite the technological advancements, Athens Assistance remains committed to the human aspect of care. “Even though leveraging technology can provide key solutions, the human approach is of priceless value in assistance services,” Dr. Koliniatis remarks. The company focuses on empathy, transparency, and a patient-centered approach, ensuring that everyone involved in patient care contributes to the best outcomes.
