Challenge Festival rolled on yesterday with our health conference, “Life, Death and Everything In Between,” at the Lansburgh Theatre. The panels throughout the day touched on recurring themes—in particular, the role of data and the role of patients. With that in mind, let’s dive in to some of the day’s key takeaways.
1. Moving forward, payers and providers can’t be in an “us-versus-them” relationship.
The day’s first panel kicked off by looking forward: Where is the tension between healthcare payers and providers going from here?
Earl Steinberg of @GeisingerHealth – it’s never going to work if we think of it as “versus” #1776Challenge — National Council (@nationalcouncil) May 13, 2015
Not much tension between doctors and patients. Instead tension between payers and providers. #1776Challenge @Aetna — IPIHD (@IPIHD) May 13, 2015
Tension b/w patient & provider will be relieved as hc system focuses more on quality – Dr. Joe Frassica, our CMIO/CTO #1776Challenge — Philips NorthAmerica (@PhilipsNA) May 13, 2015
But that means we have to align incentives within the healthcare system as consumers “start to move into the driver’s seat around the globe,” said Philips Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Joe Frassica. As that happens, innovation on the consumer side combined with intelligence from the healthcare side will move the health revolution forward. How do startups fit in?
Biggest challenge- startups move a million miles an hour, Payers move slowly. Sales cycle can be 18 months #1776Challenge @Babyscripts — IPIHD (@IPIHD) May 13, 2015
#1776Challenge panel: Successful shift from volume to value requires incentives to be aligned & sustainable for providers — AmerColl Cardiology (@ACCinTouch) May 13, 2015
#1776Challenge We’re looking for companies that empower people to make good healthcare decisions. pic.twitter.com/zlNJwAsUCL — Janice K. Mandel (@JaniceKMandel) May 13, 2015
2. Technology in health care is great, but never underestimate the roles and experience of the people involved.
In our morning fireside chat, featuring former “Ebola Czar” Ron Klain, we learned that the response to the Ebola epidemic truly was all about leveraging people, rather than developing new technology.
“The killer app in fighting #Ebola was human beings.” @RonaldKlain at #1776challenge #health day pic.twitter.com/Oz5ys3qxwk — 1776 (@1776) May 13, 2015
Love @RonaldKlain‘s emphasis on the importance of comms in managing Ebola-both w/in the internal team & for the public. #1776Challenge — Erica Stein (@estein_) May 13, 2015
That was the recurring theme throughout this chat—again and again and again. Klain explained that response teams leveraged old technology, such as radio broadcasts, to disseminate messages about unsafe burial practices and how to prevent the spread of the disease.
Fireside chat @RonaldKlain: during Ebola epidemic sharing info. face to face was powerful, led to solutions #1776Challenge — Ali Siemianowski (@AliSiemianowski) May 13, 2015
“Can’t downgrade public fears-need to address them w/ candor, information, and accuracy.” @RonaldKlain, on Ebola/public fear #1776Challenge — Erica Stein (@estein_) May 13, 2015
3. Health innovation for the 99% needs to be adaptable—no matter what population it’s serving.
Our third panel turned to the issue of affordability, bringing healthcare innovations to scale at lower costs for underserved populations.
Fantastic panel at #1776challenge @morningconsult @HHSGov @tobyhervey @clinicaalicia @drnundy @1776 pic.twitter.com/dI3udCFDOy — MedStar Innovation (@Mi2innovation) May 13, 2015
Landscape scan of innovation, particularly for underserved populations shows business models out there but unique challenges #1776Challenge — National Council (@nationalcouncil) May 13, 2015
Right off the bat, panelists identified unique problems such as literacy issues, language access gaps and interoperability hangups. Yet, they also noted that even underserved populations have access to up-to-date technology like smartphones.
Technology acquisition fast in places we didn’t expect but need to connect it back to health- @ClinicaAlicia on those served #1776Challenge — National Council (@nationalcouncil) May 13, 2015
That’s where adaptability and interoperability are critical.
Health data interoperability critical to improvement of care outcomes, regardless of socioeconomic status #1776Challenge — Ken Allgood (@cogsciguy) May 13, 2015
What does healthcare #innovation look like for the underserved? Nice perspective from @HHSGov & more #1776Challenge pic.twitter.com/vFEGtfDLOY — Philips NorthAmerica (@PhilipsNA) May 13, 2015
4. Personalized medicine hasn’t totally sorted through its issues—like privacy and patient engagement—but everyone is really interested in innovation in this space.
Our final two conversations of the day focused on the topic of personalized medicine, what it will take to get there and whether the risks outweigh the benefits. Our panel discussion, “Nivana or Gattaca? The Future of Personalized Medicine,” started off with a basic premise:
“Personalized medicine is all about understanding the patient.” #1776Challenge
— Sean Montgomery (@smm323) May 13, 2015
Then it got sticky—branching out into technology, patchwork policies, and more. Because personalized medicine is—at its core—all about data, the conversation broadened to discuss barriers that prevent healthcare providers from offering personalized health services.
Privacy concerns inhibit patient support of improved, efficient care through med tech. Anthem breach reinforces fear. #1776challenge — Molly B-E (@mocarbe) May 13, 2015
Panelist Grant Elliott, CEO of Ostendio, explained that privacy should not impede innovation. Yet, the healthcare industry reflects old notion of privacy—and there are barriers in place that prevent technological advancements. Still:
Amen! “Barriers cant be where we stop, rather what we overcome with innovation” Jasvir Zonobi of @kuveda #1776Challenge
— hannah (@dchmf) May 13, 2015
Personalized medicine is more than just “medicine”- it includes influence, engagement, education, and wellness #1776Challenge
— Brittany Singhas (@BrittanySinghas) May 13, 2015
“It’s the nut that’s so tough to crack but probably the most important one.” @kavitapmd on patient efficacy and motivation #1776Challenge — Erica Stein (@estein_) May 13, 2015
The personalized medicine conversation continued in the day’s final fireside chat with Jon White, who explained the policy side of things.
Discussion of ‘precision’ & ‘personalized’ medicine continuing from policy perspective! Lots of interest across Obama Administration.
— 1776 (@1776) May 13, 2015
.@ONC_HealthIT Deputy Nat’l Coordinator Dr. White talks personalized med, #bigdata, interoperability @ #1776Challenge pic.twitter.com/LDxJxKIwXi — AmerColl Cardiology (@ACCinTouch) May 13, 2015
Our day concluded with 20 amazing pitches from entrepreneurs from around the world, many of whom offer products tackling the very challenges we discussed all day long. Afterward, we couldn’t help but walk away in total agreement with this final tweet from Health Day Gold Sponsor, American College of Cardiology:
“Personalized care is here. This is the future of medicine” #1776Challenge@Kuveda
— AmerColl Cardiology (@ACCinTouch) May 13, 2015
Melissa Steffan
Melissa is the former assistant editor for 1776, where she worked on the media team to create compelling, idea-driven content and reporting. A Seattle native, she graduated from Seattle Pacific…
