In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, Michael, an experienced innovator with over 80 patents and a professor in multiple countries, joins to discuss the future of digital health. The conversation dives deep into the concepts of innovation, patent strategies, and the challenges in digital health funding. Michael shares his insights on current investment trends, the future of healthcare, and the potential of technologies like AI and digital tools to redefine medicine.

Website: https://www.facesofdigitalhealth.com/

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Key Points:

The Role of Patents in Innovation:

Michael holds 80 patents, but only a few have translated into successful innovations. Patents serve as a starting point for innovation, not necessarily as a direct path to commercialization.

Challenges in Patent Development:

The difficulty in checking if something has already been patented due to the 18-month confidentiality period. Patenting as a strategy to establish a foundation for future projects and startups.

Current State of Digital Health Funding:

2024 has seen significant investment, especially in the U.S. market, but COVID-19 still skews comparisons.

Michael believes digital health should go beyond improving administrative workflows and focus on new forms of medicine, such as combining AI, sensors, and IoT.

Investment Challenges and New Approaches:

There is no current business model for preventive healthcare, but it’s essential for long-term health impact. Michael advocates for shifting from analog to digital processes and creating personalized, predictive healthcare.

5P Future of Health Investment Fund:

Michael has started an investment fund called "5P Future of Health," focusing on long-term impact rather than immediate profits.

Emphasis on personalized, participative healthcare, and developing tools that address health issues before they become critical.

Vision for the Future of Healthcare:

Transition healthcare from hospitals to home-based systems, using affordable and accessible diagnostic tools. The need for democratizing healthcare and creating business models that are inclusive, not just profit-driven.

Better is a healthcare IT provider of a healthcare data platform, low-code tools that help healthcare organisations to rapidly build applications that suit their specific need and hospital medication management software, working across 20 markets.

In this episode, based on 30+ years of experience, Tomaz Gornik, CEO of Better explained:

- what is a data platform in healthcare,

- what motivates vendors to NOT lock customers in their systems

- EHDS implementation from the healthcare IT perspective,

- the power of legislation and tender processes in shaping the future of digital health,

- how do digital health vendors get the first customer in healthcare,

- How do companies survive the long sales cycles - 3 or more years in public systems, and how is this impacting their business models,

- the role of design in health,

- and more.

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There are over 200 hospital trusts in the UK, encompassing more than 1,200 hospitals. With those numbers and a population of 67 million, the United Kingdom represents quite a large market. However, selling to the NHS is anything but easy.

Mindy Simon is Co-Director at the NHS Innovation Accelerator. She is responsible for the program's execution and provides guidance to innovators and startups that already have customers. In this episode, Mindy talked about the importance of gaining visibility within the NHS, which she says is the biggest struggle for startups. We also discussed tender processes that contribute to innovation procurement and the challenges related to the requirements in tenders. For example, startups need to be mindful of their carbon emissions—how much space software uses in the cloud or how equipment is disposed of, if you're a provider of hardware.

Apply for the accelerator by 14 October 2024: https://nhsaccelerator.com/apply/apply-nia-2025-intake/

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Website: https://www.facesofdigitalhealth.com/

Daniel Kraft is a Stanford and Harvard trained physician-scientist, inventor and entrepreneur focused on accelerating much improved future of health and biomedicine at the convergence of accelerating technologies and human innovation. He is the founder of NextMed Health & Digital.Health, Chairs the XPRIZE Health Alliance, and is a sought after speaker on the future of medicine, with 6 TED & TEDMED Talks.  

Join NextMed Health in December 2024 in San Diego: https://www.nextmed.health/

In this discussion, Daniel talks about: 

- Basic Health Practices: The importance of sleep, diverse food, exercise, and social connections as foundational health practices, alongside high-tech tools.

- Longevity vs. Healthspan: The discussion shifts from living longer (longevity) to improving the quality of life in later years (healthspan), through proactive health measures.

- Behavior Change is Key: Digital health innovations, while advanced, still face challenges in encouraging sustained behavior change, which is crucial for better health outcomes.

- Generative Health and Personalization: The concept of "Generative Health" is introduced, where AI-based health coaches personalize advice based on individual preferences, genetics, and lifestyle.

- AI in Healthcare: AI's most immediate impact will likely be in administrative areas, reducing burnout by automating tasks and helping clinicians focus on more critical decisions.

- Hospital-to-Home Care: The shift from hospital care to home care (or "homespital") is a major trend, driven by advances in remote monitoring, telehealth, and AI-based triage systems.

- Barriers to Digital Health: Regulatory, cultural, and business model barriers continue to impede the full integration of digital health solutions, despite technological advancements.

- Future of Healthcare Delivery: As healthcare moves towards more home-based care, the infrastructure and training for clinicians must evolve to support this shift effectively.

- AI and Ethical Considerations: There is a need to balance the use of AI in healthcare with maintaining human cognitive abilities, ensuring clinicians remain skilled in diagnosis without over-reliance on technology​

facesofdigitalhealth.com

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This episode features Dr. Chelsea Sumner discussing NVIDIA's significant role in healthcare, particularly in its work with AI startups. Key areas of focus include NVIDIA’s contributions to medical imaging, genomics, and drug discovery, and its innovative tools like Clara and NIMs. The conversation highlights how NVIDIA collaborates with startups, its global footprint, and insights into AI’s transformative potential in healthcare.

Key Points:

• NVIDIA’s Role in Healthcare:
• GPUs in Healthcare: NVIDIA's graphics processing units (GPUs) power AI and are pivotal in medical imaging, genomics, and drug discovery.
• Clara Platform: A suite of healthcare-focused AI tools supporting genomics (Parabricks), medical imaging (Moni), robotics (Isaac), and drug discovery (BioNemo).
• Collaboration with Startups:
• Inception Program: NVIDIA supports over 3,000 healthcare startups globally, offering them tools, resources, and access to venture capital (VCA).
• Diverse Startup Sizes: Startups range from small two-person teams to large-scale companies with 800+ employees.
• Examples of Partnerships:
• Mendel AI: Improved deployment efficiency by 75% using NVIDIA’s Inference Microservices (NIMs).
• Hippocratic AI: Developing empathetic AI avatars for patient interactions.
• Abridge: AI-powered clinical conversations that can generate clinical notes, saving clinicians time.
• What Are NIMs?
• NIMs (NVIDIA Inference Microservices): These microservices streamline AI model deployment, enabling faster and easier integration of AI models into applications.
• Key Healthcare Innovations:
• Genome Sequencing: NVIDIA set a world record for genome sequencing in under 6 hours, highlighting advancements in personalized medicine.
• GI Genius with Medtronic: AI-assisted colonoscopy tool leveraging NVIDIA’s technology to detect polyps, aiding in colorectal cancer prevention.
• J&J MedTech Collaboration: Connecting digital ecosystems for surgery to provide real-time insights to medical professionals.
• Global Healthcare Impact:
• NVIDIA operates in healthcare ecosystems worldwide, collaborating with startups and partners in North and Latin America, Europe, China, and APAC regions.
• Their technologies are integrated with global academic medical centers, research institutions, and conferences like RSNA and Health U.S.
• Future of AI in Healthcare:
• Digital Biology, Surgery, and Health: Key areas where generative AI will impact healthcare, from diagnostics to personalized treatment.
• Model Transparency (Model Cards): NVIDIA’s trustworthy AI initiatives include model cards, which offer transparency into AI models' development and data, aiding in mitigating bias.

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This episode gives an in-depth insight into healthcare digitalization in Portugal. Cátia Sousa Pinto, Head of Global Digital Health and International Affairs at SPMS - shared services of ministry of health of Portugal talked about healthcare digitalization in Portugal, European Health Data Space (EHDS), patient data and more.

Key Points Summary

• Portugal's Digital Health System Design: To accelerate digital health development, Portugal created a national eHealth agency (SPMS) over a decade ago.
• SPMS Role: SPMS plays a dual role, not only regulating but also developing and maintaining ICT solutions for Portugal's healthcare system. This centralization helps prevent fragmentation and ensures interoperability.
• European Health Data Space (EHDS): EHDS is the EU's regulatory framework for cross-border health data sharing, building on initiatives like MyHealth@EU. The goal is to allow seamless healthcare across Europe, where any EU citizen can access healthcare in other countries as if they were at home.
• My Health at EU: A foundational initiative that enables cross-border exchange of health data like patient summaries and e-prescriptions between EU countries.
• Patient Data: Catia emphasized the importance of patients controlling their health data and being able to share it across healthcare providers. This includes e-prescriptions, laboratory results, and, eventually, medical images.
• Portugal's National Electronic Health Record: A key project for the country is the creation of a unified electronic health record system, allowing citizens to access all of their health data, both public and private, from a single source.
• Use of EU Funding: Portugal has allocated €300 million from the EU's recovery funds for digital health transformation, focusing on infrastructure, citizen-centric services, and reducing the burden on healthcare professionals.
• Challenges and Future Outlook: The integration of digital health into national governance and improving interoperability between systems remain ongoing challenges. Katia stressed the importance of moving towards real-time, structured health data to improve future healthcare outcomes.

www.facesofdigitalhealth.com

Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Show notes:

[00:02:00] - Overview of Digital Health in Portugal

[00:06:00] - National-Level Initiatives and Successes

[00:10:00] - European Health Data Space (EHDS) and My Health at EU

[00:16:00] - Cross-Border Care and Digital Infrastructure

[00:20:00] - The Role of SPMS in Portugal’s Digital Health Journey

[00:30:00] - Challenges and Workforce Management in Digital Health

[00:34:00] - Benefits of Centralization in Small Countries

[00:38:00] - Electronic Health Records and Expanding Digital Services, Secondary use of data [00:42:00] - Portugal’s National Electronic Health Record

[00:46:00] - Future Vision for Health Data Integration

In this episode Anne Forsyth, Director of Clinical Applications and Support at Women’s College Hospital in Canada, discusses the challenges and opportunities in optimizing healthcare IT systems, particularly in data management and digital literacy. She shares her experiences transitioning from a policy role to a hospital setting and emphasizes the importance of data governance, workflow design, and continuous improvement in digital health projects.

• Community and Collaboration: Canada’s digital health community is a significant asset in advancing healthcare IT.
• AI and Data Standards: The adoption of AI in healthcare is promising but requires robust data governance and standards.
• Importance of Fundamentals: Good governance, workflow optimization, and training are crucial in creating sustainable healthcare IT systems.
• Digital Health Literacy: Clinicians need focused training on using digital tools correctly rather than deep technical knowledge.
• Cybersecurity Preparedness: Hospitals must prioritize business continuity planning to prepare for potential cyber attacks.

www.facesofdigitalhealth.com

Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Show notes:

[00:04:00] Optimism in Canadian Digital Health

[00:06:00] The Role of AI and Data Standards

[00:08:00] Transition from Policy to Practice

[00:10:00] The Fundamentals of IT in Healthcare

[00:16:00] Tackling Unstructured Data

[00:22:00] Continuous Improvement in Healthcare IT

[00:26:00] Digital Health Literacy for Clinicians

[00:34:00] Cybersecurity and Business Continuity

[00:38:00] Closing Remarks and Advice

• The importance of strong relationships with vendors and clinicians in solving technical challenges in healthcare IT.
• Final thoughts on the continuous nature of digital health optimization and the need for sustainable, well-communicated strategies.

In healthcare, consultants are present more often than we might realise: they work with healthcare providers to improve clinical efficiency, manage costs, implement new technologies, or streamline administrative processes. They can help with regulatory compliance, help insurance companies design new poducts, governments hire them to help with policy development, program evaluation, and implementation of new regulations. 

In this episode we take a look under the hood of consultancy work, where governments make biggest mistakes and how consultants approach problem-solving.

Mehdi Khaled is Internal Medicine Doctor and Fortune 50 Health Tech Executive, with over 25 years of international experience. He has helped shaping many large-scale, transformative digital health projects across four continents and within 40 health systems. As a Managing Partner at Seha, he specializes in developing and executing cutting-edge health and digital health strategies, with a strong emphasis on the meaningful use of data to drive health system improvements.

www.facesofdigitalhealth.com

Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/

Topics covered:

00:04 - The Role of Consultants in Healthcare

00:06 - Challenges of Accountability

00:08 - Core Principles for Healthcare

00:10 - Singapore’s Healthcare Success

00:12 - Implementing Technology in Healthcare

00:14 - The Balance Between Technology and Clinical Needs

00:16 - The Importance of Clinical Engagement

00:18 - Managing Technology in Healthcare

Exploration of the concept of "management debt," where poor decision-making leads to the accumulation of ineffective technologies.

00:20 - Cultural Differences in Healthcare

00:22 - Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Digital Health

00:24 - Case Studies and Real-World Examples

00:26 - The Need for Long-Term Vision

00:28 - Lessons from Singapore and Catalonia

00:30 - Technology-Driven Change in Healthcare

00:32 - Overcoming Barriers to Innovation

00:34 - The Future of Digital Health

00:36 - Building Local Capacity

00:38 - Avoiding Dependency on Consultants

00:40 - Final Thoughts on Healthcare Consulting

Catalonia published a new digitalization strategy in 2017. It set a new path of the healthcare IT infrastructure, based on open-platform approach, focusing on data persistence with the use of openEHR data specification.

In this discussion, you will hear from Jordi Piera Jiménez, Director of the Digital Health Strategy Office at the Catalan Health Service and Director at openEHR International, representing organisational members.

He discussed specifics of the Spanish healthcare market, how far Catalonia came since 2017, how is Catalonia building, using and updating a multi-morbidity scoring system for patients which enables easier clinical decision making, cybersecurity attacks and ultimate improvement in information security measures, and more.

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Artur Olesch is Berlin-based journalist specializing in digital health, the founder of aboutDigitalHealth.com, and the editor-in-chief of ICT&Health International. In this discussion, he shares his thoughts on the European legislation of healthtech, his thoughts on most intriguing books in tech and AI, and more. 

His 3 book picks: 

Ray Kurzweil - Singularity is nearer 

Ethan Mollick - Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI

Philip E. Tetlock, Dan Gardner - Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction

Show notes:

03:00 About Ray Kurzweil - Singularity is nearer 

10:00 Ethical use of healthcare data - how sharing is connected to democratic values 

14:00 Data analytics and data use examples and inspiration

17:00 DiGA in the field: do doctors know it 

18:45 Approach to behavioral health improvement and the role of digital

20:00 Book 2: Ethan Mollick - Intelligence 

22:58 Predicting disease - yes or no? 

26:00 Best insights from conference, top topic: ambient intelligence systems 

35:00 Hopes and fears about the future of healthcare digitalization

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John Halamka is the President of the Mayo Clinic Platform and a leading expert in digital health and AI. He has traveled to 21 countries, helping to scale digital health solutions and address regulatory and ethical challenges in the reuse of healthcare data.

Addressed topics in this discussion:

1. Differences in regulatory frameworks and cultural expectations across countries.

2. Comparison of the U.S. and European approaches to AI and data exchange.

3. Risks associated with generative AI and the need for a credibility scores.

4. Observations from various countries on AI adoption. Importance of local tuning for algorithm validation.

5. Data Standards and Future Trends.

6. Advice for Governments and Healthcare Institutions: Encouraging a proactive approach to AI adoption -Starting with low-risk projects and building trust and reliability.

Website: www.facesofdigitalhealth.com

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH9qYpFW-W8