AMA VICDOC Spring 2023 - Magazine - Page 54
Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK DIGITAL HEALTH IS GOING
TO LOOK LIKE IN 10- OR 20- OR 30-YEARS’ TIME?
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A: Digital health will only progress from
here. The term digital health is very broad;
it involves technology and our interaction
with this with respect to our health and
health systems. Digital health should make
participation in our healthcare system
fairer, faster, better, safer, more accurate,
less costly, and more accessible for everyone.
The outcome should be healthier people,
and healthier populations. One thing I’m
excited to see evolve is real time sharing of
information. We don't yet have that in our
day to day practice, but I think it’s going to
be a big enabler of doing things faster and
better for our patients.
Q: DO YOU THINK THERE'S A ROLE FOR AI
IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION?
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A: Artificial intelligence is the term
which refers to the process of automation
and rapidly synthesising information,
to produce outcomes which humans
traditionally perform. Machine learning
has existed for some time, but AI is one
step beyond this in that it produces outputs
that require a form of reasoning. When we
see patients, we do this in our heads all the
time; we draw on all sorts of information
simultaneously. We interpret verbal
communication, nonverbal communication,
historical knowledge, recollection of
past visits, previous files, updated results.
Humans cannot be replaced in medicine;
AI is a tool that will permit us and our
systems to reach diagnosis in a timelier
manner, and to have greater focus on
our patient relationships.
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Q: HOW ARE WOMEN AT THE PATIENT END
OF THE SPECTRUM USING AND ACCESSING
DIGITAL HEALTH?
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A: Women’s health issues are different from
men’s, so we’re often using digital health
differently. A lot of our concerns revolve
around gynaecological issues, menstruation
and pregnancy, body image, dieting, and
mental health. But then women are often
also mothers running households, and
managing healthcare for their partners,
seniors, and children. I think it depends
on the age group of the women too.
We've got tech savvy gen Z, gen Y, gen X
digital health users, and they're all pretty
adept at using technology. They have
smartphones. They’re doing their own
research. They might be taking advice
from social influencers on Facebook and
TikTok. They might be using period
tracking or ovulation apps.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS YOU’RE
OBSERVING THAT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
COME AWAY WITH?
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A: The aim is for women to advance in
their abilities as leaders, and to activate
their potential so that they feel confident
taking on new directions in the digital
health industry. We’ve found that digital
health is in its infancy, which makes it a
very exciting space. If you’re a woman
with a pioneering spirit, the program
offers the opportunity to explore new
systems and acquire new knowledge.
You become part of a group that's
journeying together. We’re seeing
exponential growth in skills, problem
solving and insights. Many are choosing
to stay in touch with each other, and to
remain involved in the program as informal
mentors. It’s such a valuable opportunity.
