Moving the Needle on Personal Connected Health
By: John Sharp, Senior Manager, Personal Connected Health Alliance
In the last year, significant progress has been made on many fronts in connected health. These include: policy and regulation, interoperability, new technology, professional societies and big tech companies, new journals and organizations.
Policy and Regulation
In this area we saw broader expansion of telemedicine through the 21st Century Cures Act. Also, new Remote Patient Monitoring CPT codes were released. And the VA expanded its use of telemedicine including for PTSD. ONC released its final report on Patient Generated Health Data which includes results of two pilots on workflow. On the regulatory front, FDA Digital Health Software Precertification Program and workshop were launched, there were multiple approvals of personal health devices and the first recall of an mHealth app.
Interoperability
Continua Design Guidelines on FHIR launched. A Plug fest was conducted at the IHE Connectathon with more events planned for Europe.
New Technology
Voice and AI applications begin to proliferate as new ventures gain attention. Skin sensors are broadening their use including for neurologic symptoms. The first smart pill was approved by the FDA. VR/AR are being applied to more uses in health precipitating the first conference on the topic. The artificial pancreas, enabling a continuous glucose monitor to coordinate with an insulin pump, made progress both as a DIY device and now a product from a major device company. Finally, Atrial Fib detection is enabled through an app, smart watch and new device approved for arrhythmias.
Professional Societies step up
The AMA launches innovation network and the ACC issues Health Policy statement on healthcare transformation in the era of digital health, big data and precision health.
Big Tech Joins In
Apple announced that it will enable uses to bring their health records into their iPhone health app and integrate it with personal health device data. Google is following suit with a new API using Google Cloud. Amazon is promising to disrupt healthcare with major partners but specifics are yet to come.
New Journals and Organizations
Two new journals launched – Digital Biomarkers and Nature Digital Medicine. NODE Health (network of Digital Evidence) has a section in the former and also held its first conference in 2017. Digital Therapeutic Alliance was launched. Digital Therapeutics becoming a trending topic in Pharma and Diabetes Prevention Programs.
These achievements in one year reflect the accelerated pace of connected health. Within the next year, I hope to see the accumulation of evidence that apps and devices have an impact on health and medical outcomes and that all of these connected health initiatives merge into a unified movement forward.