Discussions of innovative medical technologies such as BioBeat’s remote patient monitoring system are usually framed from the perspectives of doctors, providers, and technologists. What’s usually missing are the views of patients, many of whom are using cutting-edge prosumer medical tech to monitor their health and protect their quality of life. We discussed some of these issues and their implications during Harvard’s recent Digital Health cohort and in previous training and presentations from Stanford Medical. Still, while acknowledging the tide of innovation in wearable monitors, medical training and culture remain anchored to traditional models of preventive and diagnostic care. In this context, physiological monitoring in doctors’ offices, clinics, and ERs remain the gold standard within the medical community.
Patients are starting to push back against these increasingly outdated models, sometimes with good reason. My next post will cover the case of one of our researchers, who uses wearable health monitors as part of his work. He was recently surprised by an unexpected condition during the night and used his monitors to quantify, analyze, and clarify the event. What followed helped us further illuminate how empowered, informed patients are driving change and innovation into the businesses and practices of medicine.
Our continuing research and investigations strongly suggest that medical staff in doctor practices, Emergency Departments, hospitals, and clinics will increasingly encounter patients bearing timely, detailed, and actionable physiological information. In most instances, their data will have been analyzed, correlated, trended, and interpreted by advanced analytics and artificial intelligence systems. The growing numbers of these informed consumer-patients will create significant challenges, disruptions, and opportunities for healthcare providers and their staff. How these traditionally conservative cultures embrace and adapt will help determine the future of their industry and professions. Consider these issues as you read my next post.
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