Bert Fernandez’s Post

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐈 - 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐀𝐈 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐏𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭" 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫  This NEJM Group webinar delves into how AI can enhance patient engagement, optimize care, and transform healthcare delivery. Key themes revolve around transparency, ethical use, and collaboration with patients, while highlighting real-world applications, equity challenges, and the future of AI integration. Session 1: Ground Truths - Real-Life Reports Speakers: Carey Goldberg, Jorge Rodriguez, Grace Cordovano, PhD, BCPA, This session focused on AI’s evolving role as a care partner and advocate, particularly in improving healthcare access for underserved communities. Emphasis was placed on transparency, inclusivity, and balancing AI tools with human interaction. Speakers called for updating the Patient Bill of Rights to reflect AI’s role in care, ensuring patients have access to AI-generated outputs and are well-informed. Digital inclusion efforts and the impact of AI on mental health, healthcare costs, and medical education were also discussed, stressing the need for collaboration with marginalized communities. Session 2: Executive Sponsor Q&A Speakers: Nancy Colton (Elevance Health), Moleen Madziva Taitt, PhD (Viz.ai), Jared Pelo (Microsoft), Rajeev Ronanki (Lyric) Industry leaders discussed AI’s role in patient-centered healthcare and emphasized aligning AI tools with patient needs to improve experiences and outcomes. The speakers highlighted: Reducing physician burnout through tools like Microsoft’s Dragon Ambient Experience. Optimizing care delivery and making treatments more affordable, particularly for rare diseases. Enhancing primary care and upskilling healthcare workers through AI-powered decision support. The conversation stressed the importance of EHR integration to streamline care and ensure AI tools act as supplements to human interaction rather than replacements. Session 3: From Voices to Action Speakers: Andrea Downing, Xiaoxuan Liu This session centered on elevating patient voices in AI-driven healthcare, with Andrea Downing discussing patient-led governance and her involvement in the "We Are Not Waiting" movement. The speakers underscored the importance of trust, cultural sensitivity, and community involvement in AI development. Concerns around data privacy, misinformation, and social media exploitation were raised, along with the need for transparent governance. Solutions like hub-and-spoke models were proposed to ensure rural healthcare providers benefit from AI advancements. The session concluded with a focus on government oversight and insurance transparency, emphasizing that AI must serve as a tool for ethical and equitable care. Event Recording: https://lnkd.in/eTXNgdqJ #AIinHealthcare

The integration of AI and telehealth is transforming healthcare delivery, offering a myriad of benefits for patients and clinicians alike. From faster disease diagnosis to personalized treatment plans, AI-driven data insights enable medical professionals to provide more comprehensive and efficient care. However, the use of AI in telehealth raises concerns about patient privacy risks. It is crucial to ensure the security of telehealth platforms and verify their compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). While AI offers significant benefits in tracking disease outbreaks, optimizing resource allocation during pandemics, and empowering patients, maintaining data security and privacy remains a top priority in the evolving landscape of digital healthcare delivery of telehealth platforms, particularly with regards to HIPAA compliance. As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of digital healthcare, data privacy must remain a top priority. #AI #telehealth #healthcare #HIPAA #dataprivacy

How is Digital Transformation helping Healthcare? According to a report by the American Hospital Association, telehealth visits increased by 50% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Enhanced Patient Engagement: Digital tools like patient portals and wearable devices enable patients to actively participate in their healthcare management. Statistics show that engaged patients have better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that patients who used mobile health apps experienced a significant improvement in their health behaviors. Efficient Data Management: Healthcare organizations are harnessing big data analytics and artificial intelligence to manage vast amounts of patient data efficiently. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, effective use of healthcare analytics could save up to $100 billion annually in the United States alone. Predictive analytics also help in identifying at-risk patients and preventing adverse health events. Personalized Medicine: Digital transformation enables the development of personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patient characteristics, including genetics, lifestyle, and medical history. Precision medicine initiatives driven by data analytics and genetic testing have shown promising results in improving treatment outcomes for various diseases, including cancer and rare genetic disorders. Streamlined Administrative Processes: Automation of administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling, billing, and insurance claims processing reduces paperwork and administrative burden on healthcare providers. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), administrative costs consume about 8% of total healthcare expenditures in the United States, and digital solutions can help lower these costs significantly. Remote Monitoring and Chronic Disease Management: Remote patient monitoring devices and IoT-enabled healthcare solutions allow healthcare providers to monitor patients' health remotely in real-time. This is particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research showed that remote monitoring reduced hospital readmissions by 20% among heart failure patients. Enhanced Clinical Decision Support: Clinical decision support systems powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms provide healthcare providers with real-time insights and recommendations based on evidence-based medicine and clinical guidelines. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, clinical decision support systems reduced medication errors by up to 80%. Overall, digital transformation in healthcare is leading to more efficient, effective, and patient-centered care delivery, ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Access to care is an obvious north-star for healthcare. Tele-health has always been a tool/method to improve access to care. Lockdown during COVID re-emphasized the importance of tele-health towards access to care. But, like any other tool/method, optimising the tool's usage is imperative to maximise impact. News around UHG shutting down their Optum virtual care business indicates a need to rethink how to implement tele-health in current healthcare environment #good_read

The startup landscape in the medical field is undergoing a transformative phase, significantly impacting how healthcare is delivered globally. The rapid evolution of health tech startups, driven by advancements in AI, telemedicine, and wearable technology, is reshaping patient care by enhancing accessibility, reducing costs, and personalizing treatments. One of the most significant developments is the integration of AI in healthcare. Startups are leveraging AI to automate routine tasks, streamline clinical workflows, and enhance diagnostic accuracy. For instance, AI-powered tools are now capable of converting clinician-patient conversations into detailed medical notes, significantly reducing documentation time and allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care [oai_citation:5,8 Technology-Driven Healthcare Trends in 2024](https://lnkd.in/ev-HWhA4). Telehealth and remote monitoring technologies are also gaining traction, providing patients with continuous care while minimizing the need for hospital visits. Startups are developing portable medical devices that enable patients to manage their health conditions from home, which not only improves patient outcomes but also alleviates the pressure on hospital resources [oai_citation:4,Five healthcare technology trends in 2024](https://lnkd.in/exPTa4kj) [oai_citation:3,Hospitals in 2024: Healthcare leaders identify trends to watch](https://lnkd.in/eXCf4fWR). However, hospitals and ambulatory centers must adapt quickly to these changes or risk being left behind. As startups continue to innovate, traditional healthcare facilities may miss out on the benefits of these technologies if they do not integrate them into their care models. The trend towards home-based and virtual care means that hospitals must rethink their role in the healthcare ecosystem, focusing more on how they can collaborate with these startups to provide seamless, value-based care that extends beyond their physical walls. In conclusion, the growth of medical startups presents both an opportunity and a challenge for hospitals and ambulatory centers. Those that embrace these innovations and adapt their care models accordingly will be well-positioned to thrive in this new era of healthcare [oai_citation:2,Explore the Top 10 Healthcare Trends in 2024 | StartUs Insights](https://lnkd.in/ei5W26nJ) [oai_citation:1,8 Technology-Driven Healthcare Trends in 2024](https://lnkd.in/ev-HWhA4).

Care delivery model must be re-defined to demonstrate the value of #Telemedicine and #HealthTech. #healthcare #digitalhealthcare #Telehealth #VirtualCare

As each patient journey is different with different set of needs at each patient touchpoint, a bundled care opportunity especially through automated tools can enable doctors towards a better care. Interesting insights!

UnitedHealth Group, the biggest insurer in the US, has recently announced that it is shutting down its Optum Virtual Care telehealth business, just three years after its inception. Optum Virtual Care offered nationwide virtual access to physicians and nurse practitioners. It is a substantial setback for #HealthTech. Why did it fail? is this the end of #telemedicine? The short answer is "no". The care delivery model must be redefined to demonstrate the value of telemedicine and HealthTech. 1️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 As Morgan Cheatham from Bessemer Venture Partners puts it: "In telemedicine, many of the inputs (e.g., clinician time) and therefore cost structures of in-person care persist, which is why we often see fee-for-service telemedicine companies struggle to achieve economies of scale (i.e., growing revenues non-linearly while growing costs linearly)." 2️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 Specific digital solutions address unique challenges at each stage of the medical appointment. These digital solutions leverage the following improvement levers (non exhaustive list): ▪️ Self-service  ▪️ Automation  ▪️ Asynchronous care  ▪️ Upskilling of resources through AI ▪️ At-home care 3️⃣ 𝐄𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝟏: 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 - 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐂𝐏 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 A capitation model in #primarycare involves paying healthcare providers a set amount for each patient they care for over a specified period, regardless of how many services the patient uses. In this model, the GP chooses the "portfolio of tools" they wish to use for each case, without being trapped in the current "face-to-face volume game". 4️⃣ 𝐄𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝟐: 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 As of today, many GP practices are constrained by their outdated practice software. The solution is to migrate the entire technology stack to the cloud (can be done over the weekend), making the EHR practice software just one part of a larger system. This allows the GP to easily add or remove specific solutions as needed throughout the care journey. 5️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬: 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 Providers have more time to focus on the core aspects of their job and are empowered to select the most appropriate care model for each patient. Patients feel more empowered, perceiving that they are better understood and cared for throughout their entire care journey. Payors can incentivize GPs to maintain patients at home, thereby avoiding expensive hospital visits (focusing on preventive care rather than reactive measures). -------- HLTH Europe is only one month away! And primary care will obviously be part of the agenda. Make sure you join! #healthcare