Ketaki Desai, PhD

"Move fast and break things? Not in healthcare." A hospital CEO raised his hand and said from the crowd. (I was addressing a room full of providers on AI's potential in healthcare.) As a YC alum and multi-time founder, I've seen tech revolutionize industries. But healthcare? The stakes are higher. Lives are on the line. The CEO's concern echoed across the room: "We can't afford Silicon Valley's 'move fast and break things' mentality when millions of lives are at stake." Fair point. But here's where it gets interesting. I asked, "Who here wants to learn more about AI in healthcare?" Every hand shot up. The enthusiasm was palpable. These professionals weren't resistant to change. They were hungry for knowledge. So, I flipped the script: "What if AI could help you move carefully and fix things?" Silence. Then a flood of questions. They asked how AI could: - Automate routine tasks, to free up clinicians to spend more time with patients - Improve diagnostic accuracy - Streamline administrative processes — for doctors, RCM, and patient access teams But the key? Safety and security at every step. I shared our approach: - Rigorous testing protocols (thanks to our CTO's background in self-driving cars) - Always-on human oversight - HIPAA compliance, HITRUST certification, and end-to-end encryption The skepticism turned to intrigue. This interaction showed me that healthcare innovation requires a delicate balance. We need to address people's concerns while showcasing possibilities. The future of healthcare isn't just about new technology. It's about building trust, ensuring safety, and keeping sight of what matters most: the patients we serve.

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#AIChatbots Beat #Doctors 🤯at #Diagnosis: What Does This Mean for #Healthcare? A recent study in JAMA Network Open revealed a surprising truth: ChatGPT #outperformed #physicians in #diagnosing #medical #case histories. Even when doctors had access to the chatbot, they only #slightly #improved their accuracy, while the #AI #alone #scored remarkably #higher. Key Takeaways: 💡#AISuperiority: ChatGPT demonstrated a #90% accuracy rate in diagnosing complex medical cases, #surpassing the average scores of doctors both with and without #AIassistance. 💡Doctor Overconfidence: Physicians often stuck to their initial #diagnoses, even when the AI suggested alternatives, highlighting potential overconfidence and resistance to AI insights. 💡#UntappedPotential: Many doctors underutilized the chatbot, treating it as a simple search engine rather than leveraging its ability to analyze entire case histories and provide #comprehensive diagnoses. This study suggests that while #AI has the potential to be a #powerful "doctor extender," providing #valuable #second #opinions, we need to bridge the gap between #technology and its effective #application in #clinical settings. Doctors need training on how to best utilize #AItools to #maximize their #diagnosticaccuracy and improve patient outcomes. What are your thoughts on the role of #AI in #healthcare? Let's discuss in the comments below! Gege GATT Dr. Sven Jansen Marina Martinić Kavur Kim Vemula Anna Shahinyan Thomas Clozel Ghaith Sankari Tom Lawry Fabian J. G. Westerheide Daniel Hulme Richard Levenson, MD, FCAP Gideon Ho Philippe GERWILL Daniel Hawkins Arber Shehu, MD, MS, Michelle Bridenbaker Gordon Wishart Arthur L. Jenkins III, MD FACS Jobin Jose Tom Micklewright J. Dean Zikria Dave Marver Professor Shafi Ahmed Michael Friebe Tosin Sotubo-Ajayi Dr. Henri Michael von Blanquet, M.D., MaHM Hansa Bhargava MD Nour Ghalia Abassi Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades, MD Zied Tayeb, PhD Jeffrey Dalli Youssef Helwa Bjoern von Siemens Tyler Wanke Original The New York Times article : https://lnkd.in/emZuR7Bs Comment if you want to receive a copy.. JAMA Network Open article: https://lnkd.in/eRiuqTQ7 #AI #Healthcare #MedicalDiagnosis #ChatGPT #FutureOfMedicine #Innovation #Technology #DigitalHealth Image credit : Antonio J. Webb, MD

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So today I wanna share my experience about my recent meet-up. It's been a few years now that I am attending conferences hosted by VCs, Angles or Incubators. Now to have a conversation with Investors is like you bringing the best version of yourself or you can save yourself a seat at any corner of the conference. But this encounter was something spicier. This time, I saw the other side... The other side of what a founder becomes if he just goes on and on and on. And On (This last On is for you Mukul Khurana). Pretty sure, people in the ecosystem have started to know him within the last 3 months. If you don't, guess you have been missing out on great Fundraising Content. (Link Shared in comments). 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕. So Mukul has worked in Tapzo (acquired by Amazon) along with other startups, moved to OnePlus and became the Head of Product India Division in ~3 years. But then the monotonous cycle, just like the many of us, hit him. And specially when you are a non-IITian, corporate life is really tough. So the confidence he built with his hard work gave rise to an idea strong enough to change his career path. But things did not work out even after raising ~700K USD from top investors like Titan Capital, Blume Ventures, Upsparks Capital & angels like Kunal Shah, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, and founders of companies like ShareChat, BharatPe, One Impression & he returned the leftover money. But as rightly said "Knowledge Gained Is never Wasted" So he started to help early and aspiring founders like us navigate through the journey of fundraising & who in the ecosystem would miss it. The entire event was really lively, got to see how the current generation is coming up with all the grit to create a change that they want to see in the world. This is a kind request to all the 2nd gen entrepreneurs. Your insights are too valuable to us. We hope you shed the light on us in one way or the other. PS: DocHome | Doctors@Home won the 1st prize too😁. Thank you once again for inviting us Mukul Khurana.

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OpenAI kick off with latest model. Listen to this conversation. CTO Mira Murati showed off some new audio and video capabilities including translation and math homework etc. Does the latest model mimic similar to human response? Interesting to see this update from OpenAI just before Google kicks off I/O conference. https://lnkd.in/gk_Er9w2 #OpenAI #AI

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AI will replace doctors in its current form of practice. Very powerful & insightful sharing by Azran Osman-Rani . Check out the full video. https://lnkd.in/gwf878dJ #ai #doctors #healthcare #disruption Disruptive Doctors Dr Vivek Subramaniam #adaptability

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WHO’s New AI-Powered Chatbot Is Giving Wrong Medical Answers SARAH doesn’t have up-to-date medical data, can ‘hallucinate’ Tends to fall back on ‘consult with your health-care provider’ My thoughts : In the rapidly advancing intersection of #AI & #GenAI and healthcare, the WHO's recent misstep with its AI chatbot SARAH offers a stark reminder of the essential need for precision and caution. This venture into AI-assisted health advice, though well-intentioned, has fallen short, illustrating the critical gaps between AI potential and its practical application in patient care. The Root of the Issue 1. Data Integrity and Currency: AI, like any tool, is only as good as its inputs. SARAH’s misfires are symptomatic of underlying issues with the quality and timeliness of the data it accesses. In medicine, where knowledge is constantly evolving, outdated or incomplete data isn’t just unhelpful—it’s hazardous. 2. Technological Imperfections: The problem of AI "hallucinations," or the generation of incorrect but plausible information, remains a significant hurdle. In the context of healthcare, where every piece of advice could have life-altering implications, these errors are unacceptable. 3. Overdependence on Technology: The frequent fallback recommendation to "consult with your health-care provider" suggests an over-reliance on the AI without adequate support mechanisms to ensure its advice is sound. This reliance on tech without proper vetting and validation frameworks undermines its utility and trustworthiness. Ideal Project Leadership 1. Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Projects like SARAH must be guided by teams that blend expertise from AI, data science, clinical medicine, and ethics. This ensures that the system is not only tech proficient but also clinically relevant & ethically sound. 2. Leaders Versed in Both AI and Healthcare: Leadership should have a robust understanding of both AI, GenAI and clinical applications. This dual insight is crucial to bridge the gap between technical possibility and practical, safe application. Strategies to Maximize Efficiency and Effectiveness 1. Phased Implementation and Feedback Loops: Introducing AI systems gradually and integrating constant feedback can mitigate risks and enhance system relevance and reliability. This iterative process allows for adjustments in real time, ensuring the technology meets actual healthcare needs. 2. Comprehensive Testing and Validation: Rigorous pre-launch testing and ongoing post-launch validation in real-world settings are crucial. These steps should involve not only technical assessments but also verifications by healthcare professionals to ensure the advice is accurate and applicable. 3. Commitment to Transparency and Accountability: It is vital to maintain open communication about what AI can and cannot do, ensuring all users have a clear understanding of its role and limitations. Accountability mechanisms for any failures must be predefined and transparent.

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How do you entrepreneur? Lean startup approach tells us there is opportunity to find a problem then ideate and iterate a solution. We know this works. Some idealize the life and are compelled by the equation: problem + solution = personal success. Work hard -> build a viable product that people will pay for ✅ this can of course work too. For me it's about... responsibility. We have a responsibility to problems - the first step is realizing those problems aren't someone else's. #missiondriven #startup #business #healthtech #innovation #healthcare #BetterThanWeFoundIt #digitaltransformation #SaturdayMusings

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We need to highlight more bootstrapped healthcare companies. I rarely see founders of these small businesses profiled at conferences or in the media. The chances of building a $100M+ revenue healthcare company are very slim. But that’s the expectation once you accept VC funding (especially Series A and beyond). Let me remind you, most healthcare companies do lower revenue than total capital raised. And you can build a wonderful life and help your community with much lower revenue / growth, if you take minimal or no funding. And believe it or not, most VC-backed founders are fascinated by founders and business models that didn’t require external capital. Do you agree? Or would you prefer media and “influencers” to focus on venture-backed and publicly traded companies? Sometimes I feel like I’m shouting out into the void. Because majority of content is focused on the unicorn chasers. Would love to hear from founders of bootstrapped companies in the comments?

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I’m worried about the state of venture capital and direct-to-consumer (DTC) healthcare startups. Hims & Hers is the poster child for DTC healthcare at $1.2B proj 2024 revenue and a $3.6B valuation. By most accounts, they have been an outlier success for DTC since bottoming out in May 2022. So why is this bad news for DTC healthcare? Because the market leader (Hims) trades at a 3x forward revenue multiple. And the category leader typically gets a higher valuation multiple than smaller startups. We see this phenomenon in private equity. They “roll up” smaller companies within the same category at a lower multiples just to create one larger platform that trades at higher multiples. Now back to DTC healthcare startups. If Hims commands a 3x revenue multiple, it’s not unrealistic that smaller, unprofitable startups may be valued 1-2x revenue at exit. At 2x revenue, a startup must generate $500M to produce a $1B exit in today’s market (depending on growth and profitability). Series A/B venture capitalists must see a pathway to $1B outcomes. And if the growth-stage investors with billions under management are less interested in DTC healthcare, the future funding rounds necessary for fueling growth are not guaranteed. Juxtapose this against 2017-2022 where DTC could raise Series B-E funding. Let’s take a DTC startup doing $25M after 3-4 years of operations and has already raised a Series A. By most accounts, it would be a phenomenal accomplishment. But today, investors will question the chances of that same company scaling from $25M to $500M revenue in the next 3-4 years with unknown future funding sources from Series B and beyond. You're stuck in VC-funding purgatory. Some of these companies will shut down. Some may sell for 1-3x revenue. And some may try to transition to profitable, cash-flowing businesses. All of which are certainly not the venture-backed goal the founders, investors, and employees often had in mind when first taking capital. I say this all with friends working at or starting DTC healthcare companies, I feel bad for them. I also feel bad for the patients who enjoy those products or services. To caveat (b/c I know people will object), there will be other DTC brands that exit for $1B+ (i.e., Ro). However, they were forged and scaled during a different time period where seemingly endless venture capital was available for DTC healthcare. Now we're in a different time with no end in sight. Thoughts?

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Here’s your recap of last week’s health IT news 🗞️ 👇 🤖 AI Products • Emergency Services, Inc. + Augmedix Go ED: The emergency medicine group adopted the new ED-specific AI ambient scribe solution.    • Color + OpenAI: The cancer care tech company partnered with the GenAI giant to build a AI clinical decision support copilot.    • AKASA Medical Coding: The AI RCM vendor known for its AI prior auth tool AKASA Authorization Advisor released a new GenAI medical coding solution.    • Humata Health: The AI prior auth for providers vendor closed a $25M funding round led by healthcare org-backed funds The Blue Venture Fund and LRVHealth.    • Wellsheet + Concord Hospital Health System: The AI-enabled Smart EHR UI solution announced a client-reported 16.3% reduction in length of stay and 40% decrease in time spent in the EHR via its partnership with Concord Health, as well as the release of its new LLM-generated handoff summary feature. 🍎 VBC • BSIM Healthcare Services + Innovaccer: The healthcare provider—embarking on its first VBC contract—adopted the pop health data platform for analytics. 🩼 Durable Medical Equipment • Parachute Health: The DME e-prescribing and ordering solution released an update that integrates prior authorization. ⚕️Clinical Staffing • Matchwell + Indiana Hospital Association: The clinical staffing service partnered with the hospital member org to create the first state-wide resource pool for temp staffing. 🧑‍💻 Virtual and At-Home Care • Deaconess Health System + KeyCare: The Indiana-based health system adopted the Epic-based virtual care provider for around-the-clock virtual urgent care.    • UC Davis Health + Current Health: The health system launched a new RPM program for high blood pressure in partnership with Best Buy Health’s care-at-home platform. 🧠 Food for Thought: We came across a couple of good resources this past week on the current state of healthcare data information exchange: • This article in Health Affairs from Deven McGraw and Tina Grande provides a comprehensive overview of some of the patient health data abuses we've seen come to light in recent months, as well as a number of policy recommendations to improve the health information exchange landscape for all participants. https://lnkd.in/e_GEQ-JJ  (h/t Alya Sulaiman)    • This episode of Health Gorilla's InteropTalk gives a helpful update on the current state of affairs, with a particular focus on the state of trust across the health data exchange community and how the definition of "Treatment" may evolve. https://lnkd.in/e96AJG-5 (h/t Brendan Keeler) --- Reminder: you can sign up for the Elion Briefing to get the latest healthcare tech news delivered to your inbox each week 📬 👉 https://lnkd.in/e2UJ3ckP

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As a healthcare innovator, I've discovered a game-changer for LinkedIn strategy: Socialsonic! 💡 Its AI-powered content suggestions align perfectly with my focus on healthcare technology and patient engagement. Automated scheduling saves time, allowing me to concentrate on revolutionizing medication adherence. A must-try for busy healthcare entrepreneurs! #SocialsonicReview #HealthTech

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Definitely sounds promising

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Transforming Healthcare with AI and IoT: Insights from Twin Health's Engineering Lead In an enlightening new video, Ashik Uzzaman, Director of Engineering at Twin Health, shares an inside look at how cutting-edge technology like AI and IoT is revolutionizing the treatment of chronic diseases. Dive into this brief yet powerful clip where Ashik discusses the role of engineering in developing solutions for conditions like diabetes and obesity with minimal human intervention. Key Learnings: 🚀 Innovative Integration: Utilizing AI and IoT to tackle chronic health issues. 🧬 Minimal Human Touch: Leveraging technology to streamline patient care. 🌐 Scalable Solutions: Developing applications that expand the reach of healthcare. For those eager to explore more about how technology is shaping the future of healthcare, check out our YouTube channel for additional insights and remember to subscribe to our "Cracking The Growth Code" podcast. Visit us at https://lnkd.in/gzHJgtNd. #agile #leadership #HealthcareInnovation

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The idea: Build a humanoid robot to sell for $30k The MVP: Human in a spandex robot suit As I’m catching up on the #optimus news from yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice this fundamental lesson in #entrepreneurship being played out by (arguably) the greatest #entrepreneur of our age. ‘I can’t ship it yet, I just need to add x,y,z…a few more weeks and it’ll be ready’ This is the lie that founders tell themselves all the time. This is what kills progress and more importantly, learning. But here we see Elon Musk, who has every resource available to him put a person in a spandex suit and beam this to millions of people around the world to pitch his idea So if your building a product, just ship it and start learning. The sooner you do this, the sooner you will get to your answer If you’re reading this and have followed to this point, please learn more about my product in the comments below 📸:Tesla #tesla #elonmusk #founder

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A Strategic Crossroads: Should Apple Partner with OpenAI? What could this mean for Health? Great idea or huge mistake? 🤔 As news surfaces of Apple nearing a deal with OpenAI, it invites us to reflect critically on what this means for healthcare and whether it’s truly a wise move for Apple. While the promise of integrating advanced AI into Apple’s ecosystem could revolutionise patient engagement and healthcare management, one must wonder: Is this the right partnership for Apple, or could it come with regrets? Apple, known for its stringent privacy policies and robust in-house innovation, might face challenges meshing with OpenAI’s broad and exploratory AI approach. Could this partnership dilute Apple’s brand promise of privacy and user-centric design, crucial in the sensitive field of healthcare? Furthermore, by aligning with OpenAI, Apple might depend on external AI advancements rather than fostering its proprietary innovations. Could this shift potentially hinder Apple’s ability to control its technological roadmap and compromise its agility in responding to healthcare market needs? For us at inicio health, while we see the potential for AI to drive significant improvements in patient care and operational efficiency, it’s essential to consider whether a partnership on such a scale could limit Apple’s unique strengths or pose new challenges in regulatory compliance and strategic flexibility. As we watch this partnership unfold, it will be crucial to assess not just the technological benefits but also the strategic fit for Apple. Could going it alone have been a better strategy? Only time will tell if this decision will propel Apple forward or if it will be a move they come to regret. #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #AppleOpenAI #TechPartnerships #StrategicDecisions Keith Grimes Dr. Khulood Alsayegh Allie K. Miller Hassan Chaudhury Clive Flashman 💙 Sam Alsop-Hall Ian Mitchell Kwesi Afful

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What you won’t find: Wheel powering any of the sketchy DTC GLP-1 compounding companies. What you will find: This market exists because companies like Wheel, who prioritize clinical quality and regulatory compliance in every process and product, refuse to take shortcuts. We're committed to ensuring that patients receive high-quality care—not just drive quick profits. Sometimes, choosing ethics over revenue means we don't see a short-term windfall during a "Gold Rush." But as CEO, I can assure you that it also means that patients, customers, and clinicians can trust that Wheel is always on the right side of history. I believe GLP-1s will transform healthcare as profoundly as AI, and Wheel is dedicated to being at the forefront—delivering compliant, accessible, and responsible care.

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🚫 Most Startups Fail in the first 3 Years, Why yours won't ? 🚫 This was a question we recently encountered in our meeting with an investor, but let's dive deep We’re Divyansh Mangal and Raksheet Jain, and we are on the mission of tackling one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges: early autism detection. Aignosis leverages AI to enable rapid, precise early detection of autism, powered by insights drawn from our unique backgrounds with pediatrician parents. Timely diagnosis can transform lives, making therapeutic interventions more effective. Yet, most children with autism are diagnosed too late. We’re here to change that.🕒 Be a part of a movement poised to revolutionize pediatric health. Together, we can ensure that every child gets the early support they need to thrive. Elon Musk once said, ‘Persistence is very important. You should not give up unless you are forced to give up.’ This statement echoes through our daily grind, inspiring us to push through challenges and embrace each failure as a lesson. #HealthTech #AIForGood #AutismAwareness #EarlyIntervention #Aignosis

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https://buff.ly/40OBLLk The surge of AI in healthcare is undeniable, yet the sector has been sluggish in establishing consensus on quality assessment. Although industry groups have initiated attempts to introduce evaluation frameworks, official guidelines are still pending finalization. #AIinHealthcare #QualityAssessment

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Like an unfazed young quarterback who keeps firing it downfield despite a spate of interceptions, CMMI keeps tossing around VBC models hoping something will connect. Contrary to its intent, CMMI's programs increased spending by $5.4 billion from 2011-2020 with another increase in net spending of $1.3 billion by 2030. Of the more than 50 models the Center has implemented, only 6 have generated "statistically significant" savings. Only 4 (Home Health Value-Based Purchasing, Prior Auth Model for Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport, Diabetes Prevention Program, and Pioneer ACO) were certified for expansion. CMMI points to the voluntary nature of the programs as a challenge to achieving cost savings. However, CMS hasn't done itself any favors here by aggressively ratcheting down payments and making downside risk >>> upside risk. (Notably, two upcoming programs -- TEAM and Inpatient THA/TKA PROMs are mandatory). Finding the VBC sweet spot was always going to require some trial and error. Perhaps CMMI has learned from the programs that failed or weren't chosen for expansion. TEAM doesn't seem to be all that different from CJR. Making Care Primary aims to closely integrate primary and specialty care (or, more likely, incentivize PCPs to take on more of this work). Not surprisingly, one of the criticisms is lack of provider input. The programs are too complex, too expensive to administer, and aren't transparent. CMMI should take note of several studies demonstrating the success of physician-led VBC efforts. Here are some other thoughts: - Offer financial grants in 5- or 10-year terms for any organization that designs its own VBC program and presents a reasonable and viable clinical/business model. CMMI would do itself a favor by partnering with or at least listening to innovators. - Medicare Advantage complexity and risk adjustment handwaving shouldn't be the only mechanisms by which advanced providers can profitably care for beneficiaries. That program isn't saving money either, but it's the only way many of these approaches can generate meaningful revenue (and most still aren't profitable). - Have regular meetings with those building VBC models, particularly those with strong physician leadership. Those meetings should be transparent and productive of action plans and iterative changes that increase model viability. - Be more open about what your goals and targets are. No one should be a victim of their own success, and if you keep moving the goalposts, you shouldn't be surprised when people get frustrated and drop out. I'm certain that, given fair incentives, a meaningful voice, and an equal seat at the table, healthcare innovators can design sustainable VBC programs. But there needs to be more collaboration and a willingness to listen and engage. Otherwise, you're just slowly adding to the alphabet soup of also-ran programs. #medicine #healthcare #health #vbc #healthcareinnovation #valuebasedcare

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