Balancing Efficacy and Access in HealthTech
HealthTechX 2024: Exploring how technology can help healthcare systems create solutions for chronically ill patients which are both effective and widely accessible.
The interplay between delivering effective healthcare and ensuring broad accessibility, particularly for chronically ill patients, is a complex balance. At the recent HealthTechX Summit, Dr Vishaal Virani, Head of Health at YouTube UK & Ireland joined Dr Shubs Upadhyay, Director of Medical Quality at Ada Health for an engaging fireside chat on leveraging technology to bridge the gap between efficacy and access in healthcare.
How can we deliver health messaging at scale while maintaining effectiveness at the individual level? Dr. Virani emphasized the importance of tailoring content on platforms like YouTube to specific audiences, ensuring that information is both accessible and credible. This includes labelling health authority videos to denote content from licensed professionals, thereby fostering trust among viewers.
However, amidst the wealth of online health information lies the risk of misinformation, which can have detrimental effects on patient outcomes. It was highlighted that high-quality information serves as a facilitator for informed conversations between patients and clinicians, ultimately enhancing continuity of care, particularly for chronic conditions.
The conversation touched upon the role of clinicians as advocates for online health content. By endorsing resources such as physiotherapy tutorials, clinicians can augment traditional treatment pathways, reducing wait times and enabling early intervention. Furthermore, integrating platforms like YouTube into the healthcare ecosystem can enhance access to care while streamlining the patient journey.
The session underscored the need for a strategic approach to content creation, particularly within the constraints of overstretched healthcare systems. For instance, the NHS YouTube channel refrains from creating certain types of service content to avoid exacerbating existing resource burdens. Instead, the focus is on providing valuable information that complements existing services without overwhelming the system.
Notably, Drs. Virani and Upadhyay went beyond the efficacy versus access debate, recognizing the intrinsic value of investing in patient education and empowerment. While return on investment is often quantified in financial terms, it extends beyond monetary gains. Saving clinician time, for instance, enables deeper patient engagement and continuity of care, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
Overall, the discussion highlighted the potential of healthtech platforms to reconcile the efficacy and access axes in healthcare delivery. By harnessing technology to disseminate high-quality information, healthcare systems can empower patients to make informed decisions while alleviating strain on resources. Moreover, embracing a holistic approach to value creation acknowledges the multifaceted benefits of investing in patient-centred care, paving the way for more sustainable and impactful healthcare solutions.
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