Better Health Technologies' Vince Kuraitis served as chairman of the Healthcare Unbound conference in Seattle, Washington last week: "We focus on the patient as being at the center of healthcare, which is right, but we also need to figure out how collaboration between the network of people around the patient should work, too."
Noted industry thought leader Dr. David Kibbe asked attendees during his keynote: Why is it that physicians have shown little reluctance to adopt iPhones, while only 15 percent of physicians in this country are currently using some form of EHR?
ONCHIT's Dr. David Hunt: Many are waiting for the "uber geeks" like the Googles and eBays to come into the healthcare space and save the day. Tech isn't a savior, It's just one part.
Critical Mass Consulting's Michael Barrett suggested that the healthcare industry needs to start listening more to behavioralists to determine how best to "nudge" the general public into making healthier choices. An example: While driving on the highway, what if instead of a "Your speed is X MPH" sign, a sign informed passersby on the number of "Calories consumed today"? Barrett said these real-time cues for making healthier decisions could be key.
Kaiser Permanente's Kendra Markle pointed to a website that sends users text messages at random points throughout the day and simply asks what they are doing and how happy they are. The site, HappyFactor.com, then enables users to log on and determine trends between moods and activities.
"If you get old, call me. I'd be interested to hear from you." -Larry Minnix, AAHSA
Continua Health Alliance's Chuck Parker said we need EHRs and HIT exchange for data portability so that we can make use of remote patient monitoring data: "That infrastructure is truly necessary," Parker said.
"'Mobile is not a serious channel for healthcare.' That's a myth," - Frank Avignon, AllOne Mobile.
Cambridge Consultant's Paul Williamson noted that gaining Continua Health Alliance certification drives down the costs associated with your wireless health device.
