Digital Health And AI Best Practices For Policy Makers: A Free Report

No matter how advanced the healthcare technology is, how educated our doctors are or how digitally literate are our patients, without a strong and supportive regulatory environment, progress will only be limited. The true effectiveness of digital healthcare technologies is largely dependent on the quality of regulations. The potential of these innovations can be hampered if regulations aren’t up-to-date.

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The continued digital health and AI Revolution depends on our policymakers. The lack of or weak regulatory frameworks won’t stop technology adoption. Instead, they will encourage patients to use the available tech anyway. What happens when such an environment exists is perfectly illustrated by the #wearenotwaiting diabetes patient movement.

This comprehensive guide is free and we have created it to acknowledge the important role that policymakers play in shaping the digital health landscape. We want to inform and inspire those with the power to change the world by presenting examples of the best practices that are already in place. We want to demonstrate that there is no need to reinvent anything, because there are already many tried and tested solutions waiting to be found and implemented.

This guide is available for free because we are firm believers in the power and importance of sharing knowledge.

Double paradigm shifts are on the horizon

We are aware that healthcare is about to undergo a paradigm change. Digital health technologies are changing the doctor-patient relationship. Patients (or should be) become partners in their care and provide valuable data to medical teams.

Before we can even begin to internalize this trend, another member of the team must be welcomed: artificial intelligence. The idea that medical professionals are the ultimate source of medical knowledge is fading.

The cost of healthcare is expected to rise even more with the increase in lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The life expectancy of humans increases as we manage chronic diseases more efficiently. This paradoxically leads to a greater shortage of healthcare.

Prepare your government for this change

In turbulent times, regulators and policymakers must ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page to maximize the potential of healthcare technologies and to avoid dystopic outcomes. This is a challenging task. Governments must listen to the people, to technology companies, to drug producers, to healthcare providers, and then shape their policies to meet real needs, while also keeping up with innovation. The policymakers must strike a balance between innovation and safety. They must promote safe digital health technologies and offer regulations that separate the wheat from chaff. They should also consider all possible legal implications of using healthcare technologies, such as data protection.

Many governments are consciously planning for the future. Canada, New Zealand or Denmark are all on their way to a digital health system. Each of these countries is at a different development stage, but they have already developed good practices that can be used by other nations.

We have tried to include as many examples as possible, as we recognize that the issues are different across countries, medical specialties, and regions. The four main topics are: (1) patient design instead of patient centricity; (2) the regulation and policy surrounding digital health; (3) national policies, and (4) regulating AI.

Here are a few examples taken from the report.

Patient design vs patient centricity

The patient-clinician partnership is undergoing a paradigm shift, largely due to irreversible changes that have occurred in the access to information. However, the way clinicians are taught, how care is delivered, and the care delivery model has not changed much, despite the fact that we call it ‘patient-centered.’ This approach is illusory and keeps patients as passive actors, with the meaning of “we may think about you” when making decisions.

Patient design is an entirely different concept that involves patients in decision-making at the highest level. It is called “co-design”, and it is “a creative approach that can be used for improving customer experience and enhancing value”.

We must work with patients to create this new practice and workflow. To reach the new potential of medicine, it is essential that it be optimized around the needs and priorities the ultimate stakeholder – the party with the most to lose in the outcome: the patient. It can be done by using the patient design approach.

Digital therapeutics and regulation

Digital health solutions and applications are becoming more common in our healthcare. They are used partly because they provide quick and convenient solutions to problems that arise from the capacity shortages in traditional medical systems, like skin-checking applications, or because they improve the capabilities of hospitals, doctors, or medical personnel (like AI diagnostics models or sepsis watches algorithms).

These apps are available for many medical specialties. However, integrating them into the state-run health care systems in order to reap their benefits at a population-wide level is a challenge. Germany’s DiGA tackles this problem.

According to the Digital Healthcare Act (DigiHealth), 73 millions Germans who are covered by the statutory health insurance system (roughly 90% of all Germans) have the right to use DiGAs if they possess a prescription or a certified diagnosis. Digital healthcare is now available in primary care.

The statutory health insurers reimburse DiGA costs. Prices are negotiated with the umbrella association for German health insurance companies in advance.

New Zealand’s national policies are influenced by outsiders

New Zealand’s government has developed a public-health strategy, a strategy for health technology and invited the public to provide feedback on a digital health strategy that is coming up. The report was created with the help of the digital health sector, through a literature review, sector group briefings, face-toface workshops, and online collaboration.

Their opinions will be included in the final report, and published under Creative Commons licensing. This means that anyone can access them.

The Strategy does not intend to be a detailed document or a plan that can be kept on a shelf, but rather aspirational and enabling goals, strategies, frameworks and guidelines that will change and evolve over time to reflect the digital world in which New Zealanders now live.

The Strategy will be continuously revised as the digital future develops. This is a great way to meet the changing needs and expectations of patients.

Regulating artificial intelligence – Large language models

GPT-4, Bard and other advanced large language model (LLM) have been created by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). The LLMs are gaining a lot of attention in healthcare because they have a wide range of applications. They can be used to help with clinical documentation, speed up insurance pre-authorizations, summarize scientific studies, or even act as chatbots that answer patient questions about their personal data.

LLMs have a huge potential for transformation, but it is important to proceed with caution. They differ from other AI-powered technologies in medical care that have been regulated, and this is especially important when it comes to patient care.

GPT-4 is the latest version, which was introduced in March 2023. It increases both the potential and risk of using this technology to support various medical tasks. GPT-4, despite the inherent risk of misinterpreting outputs because of inconsistent reliability and its inability to be reliable, also showcases advanced capabilities like interpreting text in images and analysing context.

It is an urgent and crucial challenge to regulate GPT-4, and other generative AIs in the healthcare industry without stifling its revolutionary potential. It is essential to protect patient privacy, maintain ethical standards and ensure patient safety. We propose regulatory supervision to reassure both medical professionals and patients about the safety of LLMs without compromising their data or privacy.

The Medical Futurist Institute report contains many other great examples. You are welcome to download and share this report with others who may be interested. Send it to your policy makers if you feel that there is more to be done in terms of healthcare policy. We hope that everyone will have access to digital healthcare!

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The Medical Futurist published the report Digital Health And AI: Best Practices for Policy Makers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 Alternative Medical Systems?

These five alternative medicine systems are Ayurveda (acupuncture), Ayurveda (homeopathy), energy healing, aromatherapy, and homeopathy.

To stimulate the flow and energy of qi (energy), Acupuncture uses fine needles that are inserted into specific points in the body.

Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system for health care that balances the three major humors, water, fire, and air. It involves diet and exercise, herbal remedies as well massage and meditation.

Homeopathic Medicine derives its name from the Greek homoios which means similarity and pathos which denotes disease. Homeopaths believe that all diseases have natural causes but not always symptoms. They treat people by prescribing minute doses of substances that cause similar symptoms to those experienced when the person is ill.

Energy Healing is also known for Reiki, EFT Rolfing Therapeutic Touch, Rolfing and Rolfing. This therapy draws on the belief that we are each connected to a universal life force called Ki. We feel better when this Ki flows freely through our bodies. Energy healers use touch, intention, and touch to restore harmony between our physical and emotional, as well as spiritual selves.

Aromatherapy uses essential oil extracted from plants for therapeutic purposes. Aromatherapists believe that certain smells can alter mood and behavior. Lavender essential oil is used most often in aromatherapy.

What are the main advantages of holistic medicine over conventional medicines?

Holistic medicine has been used by many religions and cultures for thousands years. They were developed based on ancient knowledge and experience.

These medications are safe, affordable, effective, natural, as well as cost-effective. The side effects are minimal compared to those of pharmaceutical drugs.

They will also assist you in achieving better health and well-being.

They can prevent you from getting sick and boost your overall well being.

They may even cure diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, etc.

There are hundreds of traditional medicines in the world. Each has its own benefits.

The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the population relies on traditional methods to treat illness or injury.

According to some reports, about half a million people depend on traditional herbal remedies for their primary healthcare.

Global market for complementary therapies will reach $22.2 billion in 2020, according to estimates.

To avoid side effects from conventional treatments, people are turning to alternative methods of medical care.

Many people turn to complementary therapies when they do not respond to other treatment options. They might also consider them before considering surgery or medication.

There are many reasons that people choose complementary therapy.

To improve your quality of life
To reduce stress levels
For relaxation
To relieve pain
To enhance immunity
For support in coping with serious illnesses
To boost energy
To control weight
To maintain good nutrition
To improve sleep patterns
To manage chronic conditions

Who uses holistic medicine

Holistic medicine refers to health care treating the whole person rather than treating specific symptoms. Holistic medicine focuses on both mental and physical well-being.

Holistic medicine can include acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic treatment. It also includes nutritional counseling, yoga, and many other complementary therapies.

People who use holistic medicine include those who have been diagnosed with cancer, heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, migraines, infertility, menopause, asthma, autism, and many others.

What are 5 domains within integrative medicine, and how do they relate to each other?

The five domains that make up integrative medicine are mind-body (nutrition, social determinants), lifestyle, and prevention. These five areas include all aspects health care including mental, spiritual, as well as environmental well-being.

Integrative medicine offers a comprehensive approach for addressing your overall health, well-being, and treatment of diseases. It encompasses both conventional medical treatments as well as complementary therapies like acupuncture and yoga, meditation and massage therapy.

What’s the difference between holistic medicine versus alternative medicine?

Holistic medicine treats all aspects of the person: mind, body, soul, and spirit. Holistic medicine considers all aspects of a person’s health. This includes the spiritual, psychological, and environmental factors that are often overlooked in conventional medicine. Alternative medicine addresses specific conditions, such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, and other ailments.

What makes holistic medicine superior?

Holistic health care focuses on treating the whole person rather than on individual symptoms. Holistic health care focuses on how people feel, how they eat, where they live and how stressed they are.

Holistic medicine considers all aspects of a patient’s life and treats them as a complete package. Although it may sound easy, in practice this is difficult because doctors tend to focus only on the physical aspect of patients.

Statistics

These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What can a holistic doctor do differently than a traditional doctor?

A holistic doctor can provide a greater range of services than a conventional doctor. This includes a nutritionist, massage therapy, naturopath and homeopath.

A holistic doctor treats patients holistically. Instead of treating symptoms, they examine the person and their environment. This helps them find the root causes and to take preventative steps and long-term care. Holistic doctors also use herbs and essential oils to treat illnesses. They offer nutritional and dietary advice to help you live a healthy lifestyle.

Holistic doctors also offer therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology, reiki or shiatsu, yoga, meditation or craniosacral treatment, as well as hypnotherapy and hypnotherapy.

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By: berci.mesko
Title: Digital Health And AI Best Practices For Policy Makers: A Free Report
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/digital-health-best-practices-policy-makers-free-report
Published Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2023 08:00:00 +0000