By Janna Guinen, Program Director, Personal Connected Health Alliance

Immediately following the 2017 Connected Health Conference, IPSOS, CES and PCHAlliance began a joint qualitative research study to assess the healthcare landscape for digital therapeutics. The results were presented by IPSOS’ Reena Sangar at the Digital Therapeutics Workshop during HIMSS18 and her summary presentation is available to members here. [hyperlink if available or enclose with newsletter?] The complete research report is as available from CTA [hyperlink here. Also, is there a discount for members?] 

While the field of digital therapeutics is still emerging, one significant outcome of our research is a working definition for digital therapeutics, based on interviews with endocrinologists/diabetologists, neurologists and patients:

• Digital therapeutics harness the power of technology to impact health by enhancing traditional medical practices, encouraging behavior change, and in some instances serving as a direct stand-alone therapy for a health condition.
• Digital therapeutics are validated by clinical evidence to demonstrate an effect on health outcomes for specific treatment pathways as well as primary and secondary disease prevention.

Emceed by Rob McCray, a HIMSS and PCHAlliance Board Member, and Don Jones, of Cardiff Ocean Group and Scripps Translational Science Institute, the Digital Therapeutics Workshop was well attended and addressed key issues including the needs and wants of key stakeholders; how to achieve market acceptance; and the status of emerging technologies related to digital therapeutics. Our HIMSS18 VIP dinner drew a full complement of attendees from digital therapeutics and life sciences companies, with engaging conversation throughout. PCHAlliance’s strong working relationship with the Digital Therapeutics Alliance was evident during HIMSS18, and DTA members attended both the Workshop and dinner.

Looking ahead, it is clear that digital therapeutics will become increasingly important in healthcare. It will certainly remain a focal point for PCHAlliance and we are in the process of establishing a DTx Task Force to ensure our content and activities meet the needs of our members and continue to push the field forward.