At HLTH 2023 event in Las Vegas, over 10,000 healthcare professionals, innovators, and thought leaders came together. Peter Birch, host of the Talking HealthTech podcast was in attendance and had discussions with experts who are at the forefront of transforming healthcare. This episode of the Talking HealthTech Podcast features a number of conversations recorded at HLTH. Make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast to catch part 1 of this episode for more discussions.
Transforming Mental Health Treatment: Jenna Carl at Big Health
Jenna Carl, Chief Medical Officer at Big Health, sheds light on the transformative role of digital therapeutics in mental health during her conversation at HLTH 2023. Digital therapeutics, distinct from consumer wellness apps, are software-based medicines regulated as medical devices. This regulation ensures high standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. Carl emphasises the importance of digital therapeutics in providing non-drug options for conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and depression, addressing a significant gap in mental health treatment.
Carl also highlights the critical role of patient experience in digital therapeutics. These treatments must be as engaging and user-friendly as consumer apps while delivering clinical-grade interventions. Big Health focuses on offering seamless patient experiences through their digital therapeutics, merging the benefits of a consumer app with the effectiveness of clinical treatment.
One of the key challenges in adopting digital therapeutics is changing patient and provider perceptions. Carl notes that contrary to the belief that patients prefer quick fixes like medication, research shows they seek treatments without side effects and long-term dependence. Digital therapeutics offer an alternative that addresses these concerns, providing effective, accessible treatments without the downsides of medication.
In discussing digital therapeutics for insomnia, Carl explains that treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTI) address the root causes of sleep disorders. Digital therapeutics offer personalised programs based on individual assessments, guiding patients through specific behavioural changes. This approach is far more effective and personalised than generic advice or medication.
Empowering Patients with Digital Twin Technology: Lisa Shah's Vision at Twin Health
Lisa Shah, Chief Medical Officer at Twin Health, introduces the concept of digital twin technology in healthcare. This innovative approach involves creating a whole-body digital twin of human metabolism, enabling precise tracking and management of chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
Shah explains that digital twin technology uses sensor data to study cause and effect relationships in the human body. By analysing thousands of data points collected from wearable sensors, the technology can identify how various factors like diet, stress, and sleep impact a person's metabolic health. This granular level of data provides insights that enable personalised interventions to reverse chronic metabolic diseases.
Twin Health's model differs from traditional disease management, which often relies on medication. Shah emphasises the power of understanding and addressing individual metabolic reactions to lifestyle factors, leading to more effective and tailored treatment strategies. This approach not only improves patient health but also reduces reliance on costly medications.
Shah also discusses the financial benefits of Twin Health's approach. By reversing type 2 diabetes and reducing the need for expensive medications, Twin Health can save significant healthcare costs. This not only benefits patients but also reduces the financial burden on healthcare systems.
Maryam Sadeghi's AI-Powered Dermatology Innovations at MetaOptima
Maryam Sadeghi, CEO and Co-Founder of MetaOptima, discusses the impact of artificial intelligence in dermatology. MetaOptima focuses on AI-powered smart platforms for dermatology, enhancing care coordination and diagnostic quality. Sadeghi emphasises the importance of AI in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
Sadeghi reflects on the challenges and excitement of leading AI implementations in healthcare. She notes that while AI has enormous potential, there are challenges in overestimating its capabilities and ensuring successful clinical implementation. MetaOptima addresses these challenges by developing guidelines for AI implementation and analysing and mitigating risks.
MetaOptima boasts a large database of quality-labelled dermatological images, enabling the development of AI algorithms that assist in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sadeghi highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in data collection, ensuring fair access to AI technology for patients worldwide.
Sadeghi also discusses the future of MetaOptima, including the development of a new AI engine that allows healthcare providers to program personalised care pathways. This engine enables tailored interventions for various dermatological conditions, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments.
Aaron Gani's Vision for Mental Health with VR Therapeutics at BehaVR
Aaron Gani, Founder and CEO of BehaVR, shares insights into using virtual reality (VR) for mental and behavioural health treatments. BehaVR develops digital therapeutics for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and opioid use disorder, utilising VR's unique capabilities to create immersive, effective treatment environments.
Gani explains the neurological power of VR in addressing fear and pain-related conditions. For fear-based conditions, VR can simulate environments that trigger emotional and physiological responses, aiding exposure therapy. On the other hand, VR can create calming environments to induce relaxation and alleviate stress.
In treating chronic pain, BehaVR uses VR for pain neuroscience education, mindfulness, and graded exercise therapy. Gani highlights the evidence supporting VR's effectiveness in relieving acute pain and its potential in chronic pain management.
Gani also emphasises the need for a multi-modal approach in digital therapeutics. BehaVR uses VR, smartphones, wearables, and sensors to deliver evidence-based, clinically proven treatments. This approach aims to close care gaps and improve accessibility, scalability, and economics of healthcare.
Mike Montello's AI-Driven Approach to Healthcare at GSK
Mike Montello, SVP of R&D Digital and Tech at GSK, discusses the role of generative AI in healthcare. Montello highlights GSK's focus on leveraging AI to automate mundane activities and sift through vast scientific literature.
Montello underscores the importance of collaboration in the healthcare industry, particularly in working with tech providers to develop solutions. He encourages understanding GSK's priorities and how tech providers can align with them to forge successful partnerships.
GSK's approach to AI in healthcare focuses on improving patient outcomes and advancing scientific research. Montello points out that AI can extract and summarise data from scientific publications, aiding in knowledge management and decision-making.
In conclusion, Montello emphasises the need for continuous innovation and collaboration to harness AI's full potential in healthcare. He highlights GSK's commitment to integrating AI into their operations, driving advancements in healthcare technology and research.
Harnessing Technology for a Healthier Tomorrow
The HLTH 2023 event in Las Vegas showcased a diverse array of insights from leading innovators in the healthcare and technology sectors. From digital therapeutics in mental health to AI-powered dermatology and VR for behavioural health, the discussions highlighted the transformative impact of technology on patient care. These thought leaders exemplify the drive towards a more efficient, personalised, and effective healthcare system, demonstrating the power of technology in shaping a healthier future.