Newsletter
Faces of Digital Health

Faces of Digital Health

A podcast about digital health and how healthcare systems adopt technologies.

How does an acquisition look like from a startup founder and investor perspective?

David Buller is a Founding Partner at Ascension Life Fund and exited founder of Avantec Healthcare. With his extensive experience of both raising and investing money in digital health he shared insights into: 🎯 Strategic positioning for acquisitions in digital health 🎯 Lessons from selling a healthcare company 🎯 Role of venture capitalists (VCs) in supporting startups 🎯 Current and emerging trends in healthcare innovation 🎯 Advice for startups navigating the 2025 investment landscape Acquisition Preparation: Startups must understand potential acquirers’ strategic goals and align their operations (e.g., revenue, margins, customer retention) to fit those goals. Relationships with key suppliers or partners can serve as a natural entry point for acquisitions. Role of VCs: VCs, particularly growth-stage investors, play a critical role in guiding startups toward successful exits. Collaboration includes identifying acquirers and preparing for due diligence. Acquisition Process: Intense due diligence requires companies to have robust financials, contracts, and customer relations in place. Negotiations are influenced by the perceived value and growth potential uncovered during due diligence. Emerging Healthcare Trends: AI-powered drug discovery and diagnostics are transforming healthcare by increasing efficiency and enabling predictive insights. Technologies like remote patient monitoring, automated hospital systems, and data-enabled medtech hold significant promise. Challenges in Scaling: The U.S. offers easier scalability due to its unified healthcare market. European startups face hurdles like diverse healthcare systems, languages, and regulations, but also opportunities in addressing these challenges. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com NEwsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
January 7, 2025

Holiday Edition: Future Trends in Digital Health & AI (Daniel Kraft, Lucien Engelen, Zayna Khayat)

In this special holiday edition of Faces of Digital Health, healthcare futurist and strategist Zayna Khayat, futurist and founder of NextMed Health Daniel Kraft and digital health expert, CEO of Transform.health Lucien Engelen discuss key trends in digital health and AI. The panel also touches on the role of new players in the health space like supermarkets and tech giants, the importance of prevention in healthcare, and the promising technologies poised to revolutionize the industry.  Topics include: Key Trends in Digital Health in 2024 European Perspective on Digital Health AI's Impact on Healthcare Costs Future of Digital Health and AI Challenges in Healthcare Implementation Exciting Innovations in Digital Health The Role of Technology in Preventive Health Food, Health, and Corporate Responsibility Policy and Legislation in Healthcare See the video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/hwexC4heHGU?si=ut-V9rqx4yvh1V-X www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
December 24, 2024

How can healthcare companies improve their marketing? (Dr James Somauroo)

In this episode James Somauroo, Host of The Healthtech Podcast and CEO of SomX, a PR and content agency specializing in healthcare and biotech. They dive into the challenges healthcare companies face in public relations, the role of content marketing, and actionable advice for founders and organizations at different stages of growth. From crafting a messaging house to building trust with clinicians, James shares his expert insights on navigating the complex world of healthcare marketing. Key Discussion Points: Evolution of PR in Healthcare Strategic Marketing Tips for Startups The importance of a "messaging house" (vision, key messages, proof points). Mapping audiences, their pain points, and the channels they use. When to Outsource Marketing Personal Branding for Leadership: Why personal content from founders and leaders often outperforms company content. The challenges of incentivizing employees to engage in content creation on platforms like LinkedIn. Trends and Predictions for 2025: A shift away from generic "AI" branding to more specific terms like computational pathology. The rise of co-pilots in healthcare for reducing administrative burdens. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
December 16, 2024

How will health AI assurance labs look like and who will pay for assessments?

Several organizations are thinking about the right way to regulate AI and the idea of assurance labs which would test and validate AI solutions in the US healthcare is taking shape. This was the topic we discussed with Brian Anderson - CEO of the coalition for Health AI or CHAI: how will assurance labs look like, how much will assessments cost, who will pay for them, and how will AI “nutrition labels” look like.  Summary: Assurance Labs in Healthcare AI The Coalition for Health AI (CHI) is developing a network of quality assurance labs to evaluate AI models in healthcare. These labs aim to provide independent, transparent assessments of AI models' performance across different populations. By the end of 2024, CHI plans to have two certified labs operational, with more to follow in 2025. Model Cards and Evaluation CHAI has introduced "model cards" or "nutrition labels" for AI models, describing their training data, methodology, indications, and limitations. Model cards are created by developers, while assurance labs provide independent evaluation reports. CHAI is working on technical specifications for model cards to ensure consistency and transparency. Goals and Benefits Assurance labs aim to balance innovation with safety in AI development. They can help identify model performance issues across different populations and accelerate improvements. The process is intended to build trust in AI among healthcare providers and patients. Implementation and Challenges CHAI is creating a competitive marketplace of quality assurance labs to keep costs reasonable. Labs must be free from conflicts of interest with AI vendors. Evaluation reports will be published in a public registry for transparency. The cost of evaluations is expected to be in the range of thousands of dollars, not millions. Future Plans CHAI is exploring partnerships with health systems and NGOs to establish quality assurance labs in the EU. The initiative aims to be scalable and adaptable to different geographic regions and populations. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
December 10, 2024

How Can Hospitals Advance Their Digital Transformation With HIMSS Maturity Models?

HIMSS, The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is an American not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care in quality, safety, cost-effectiveness and access through the best use of information technology and management systems. One way of helping hospitals advance their digitalization efforts is with the help of maturity models. These are assessment questionnaires that position hospital on a level from 1 to 7 on a maturity scale. They can help hospitals benchmark their current digital position and plan better which steps to take to advance on their digital transformation journey.  So far, HIMSS designed 6 maturity models: EMRAM - for EMRs, INFRAM - healthcare IT infrastructure, AMAM - for analytics, DIAM - for medical imaging, CCMM - continuity of care model, C-COMM - community care outcomes. In this discussion John Rayner, Senior Director Analytics - EMEA at HIMSS, talks about different maturity models, how hospitals use them, what to be mindful of in digital transformation of healthcare, and more. Key Takeaways: HIMSS models provide a structured pathway for hospitals to achieve digital maturity and improve care. Leadership, clinical engagement, and infrastructure are critical for successful digital transformation. Interoperability is the cornerstone of modern healthcare, requiring system-wide alignment. Key benefits for hospitals: Understanding the current level of digital maturity and identifying gaps. Setting a roadmap for improvement aligned with global standards. Enhancing decision-making for procurement and strategy. Demonstrating progress to stakeholders, ensuring investments lead to measurable outcomes. Validating digital maturity levels, which can serve as a benchmark or "badge" of excellence. Video: https://youtu.be/iHMC339XHIo www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
December 3, 2024

How does remote patient monitoring look like in South Africa and Nigeria?

Clinitouch, originating in the UK NHS, is expanding globally with a focus on chronic conditions and adapting to regional nuances in healthcare delivery. In this discussion several speakers discuss telemedicine in the context of Nigeria and South Africa. Speakers are: Bruce Adams, Commercial Director at Clinitouch (UK) Japie De Jongh, CEO, Synaxon (South Africa) Dr John Adesioye, CEO, Utopian Consulting (Nigeria) Liam van Rooyen, System Support Manager (Synaxon, South Africa) Key points: African Context and Healthcare from the Transcript Role of Remote Patient Monitoring in Addressing Healthcare Gaps: Dr. John Aade (Nigeria) emphasized that remote patient monitoring (RPM) emerged as a practical solution during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the need for care delivery without physical hospital visits. In Nigeria, RPM is particularly relevant for patients in remote or underserved areas, enabling data collection and transmission to healthcare providers without requiring face-to-face interactions. Community health workers often play a crucial role, stepping in where doctors and nurses are unavailable. They collect patient data, assess needs, and escalate cases to medical professionals when necessary, highlighting RPM's potential in resource-limited settings. The Dual Healthcare Systems in South Africa: Jaapie de Jong (South Africa) explained the dichotomy of healthcare in South Africa: the private sector, serving insured patients with robust infrastructure, and the public sector, catering to the uninsured population through community healthcare clinics (CHCs) and basic clinics. He noted that while the private sector is aligned with international standards, the public sector faces capacity challenges. RPM in South Africa focuses on insured patients with chronic conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, to reduce hospital visits and improve care efficiency. Challenges to Technology Adoption in Africa: Both Dr. John and Jaapie highlighted several barriers to adopting RPM technology: Device Compatibility and Connectivity: Limited access to smartphones and stable internet connectivity is a significant challenge. Many patients rely on basic phones and are hesitant to allocate resources for more advanced devices. Trust Issues: Patients often worry about data privacy and fraud, especially in regions like South Africa, where cell phone fraud is common. Providers must build trust by ensuring data security and clarifying the purpose and safety of the technology. Power and Infrastructure Limitations: In Nigeria, power outages and the high cost of diesel for generators disrupt patients' ability to use RPM devices consistently. Economic Considerations and Funding Models: Bruce Adams noted that RPM adoption heavily depends on who pays for the service. In many African countries, healthcare services involve a mix of out-of-pocket payments and insurer-funded models. In South Africa, as explained by Jaapie, medical aid schemes (insurers) play a critical role in covering high-risk, chronic condition patients. However, integrating RPM into existing reimbursement structures and ensuring that providers are compensated for remote care remain challenging. Localized Implementation of UK-Inspired Technology: Bruce Adams stressed the importance of adapting Clinitouch's UK-developed RPM platform to local African contexts. Instead of directly transplanting the UK model, Clinitouch collaborates with local partners to understand specific healthcare needs and tailor the platform accordingly. Jaapie praised the platform's flexibility and customization, noting its suitability for South African chronic disease management programs. The ability to localize the tool for hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic conditions was cited as a significant advantage in addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com https://fodh.substack.com/
November 27, 2024

How can startups avoid failure? Listen better. (Laura Hilty)

Laura Hilty has spent over 18 years working to improve the healthcare ecosystem, over 14 years of that in clinical research. She has held leadership roles spanning corporate strategy, M&A, product strategy, product management, and partnerships across stages from company start-up to scale, through Forte / Advarra and Epic. In this short discussion recorded at the Digital Health and AI Innovation Summit in Boston 2024, she explained a few tips companies can use to improve their product development.  Key points:  Collaboration and Deep Understanding: Startups must dive deep into understanding problems by engaging in extensive collaboration and interviewing diverse stakeholders. Conducting numerous conversations helps reveal recurring themes and deeper insights. Validation with Customers: Before advancing with a solution, startups should validate it with potential customers, ensuring they are willing to buy and clarifying how it fits into their workflows seamlessly. Active Listening and Detachment: Companies need to listen not just to respond but to truly understand customer pain points. This involves detaching from pre-conceived solutions and being open to honest, even critical, feedback. Balancing Customer Focus and Market Trends: While it’s crucial to address customer needs, startups must also maintain an external view to identify broader market trends and potential disruptions, avoiding tunnel vision on current customers. Learning from Failure: Product failure often stems from underestimating customer differences or lack of scalability. Proactively engaging with diverse customer types before development can prevent such issues. Challenges in Gathering Feedback: Many startups struggle to gather adequate feedback due to customer reluctance or limited outreach. Live conversations are more effective than surveys, and clarifying that feedback isn't tied to sales can improve engagement. Market Opportunities in Healthcare: There are unmet needs in system integration and leveraging research-naive physicians for clinical trials. Addressing these gaps, especially through innovation and collaboration, could significantly advance the industry. Website: www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
November 19, 2024

The future of data in in collaboration among standards bodies (Rachel Dunscombe)

This short discussion with Rachel Dunscombe, CEO of openEHR International Foundation, was recorded in Reading at the first openEHR Annual conference. Rachel Dunscombe discussed trends in data standards and the importance of structured data for the future development of AI. Recap of the discussion: Historical Context and Progress in Data Standards: Thirty years ago, the "Good European Healthcare Record" initiative aimed to create a standardized European healthcare record. How does it relate to EHDS and efforts for single patient records on European level. Unlike the past, today's digital landscape and AI advancements underscore the importance of standardized, actionable data for remote care and patient self-management. Collaboration Among Standards Bodies: Recent years have seen increased cooperation among standards organizations like FHIR, OpenEHR, and SNOMED, with a focus on complementing rather than duplicating efforts. Standards bodies are now defining clearer roles and working together toward a unified goal of improving healthcare outcomes. Need for Practical Implementation and Governance: Effective implementation of standards requires practical guides for healthcare systems, developed collaboratively by standards bodies. Open, democratic communities with strong governance are essential to ensure diverse input and practical guidance for using standards effectively. AI and Data Quality: Good data quality is foundational for effective AI in healthcare; without it, AI solutions cannot achieve optimal results. Standards are crucial for creating "trustworthy" AI and have been discussed at forums like the United Nations, emphasizing the need for global alignment on data standards. Future Goals and Global Standards: Continued development of clear, internationally recognized standards will support interoperability and innovation in healthcare, including AI-driven solutions. Guidelines from standards bodies are anticipated to help healthcare systems apply data standards cohesively for population health benefits. Resources and Engagement: The podcast "Faces of Digital Health" and its associated newsletter discuss these topics, offering updates on trends and insights in healthcare digitalization and standards. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
November 14, 2024
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Faces of Digital Health

Faces of Digital Health explores the speed at which healthcare systems around the world are adopting digital transformation. Specially curated discussions with carefully selected speakers challenge overtly hyped assumptions about the modern state of healthcare innovation. The podcast’s primary goal is to share the insight required to facilitate the necessary discussion that will start improving healthcare on a global scale.

Host

Tjasa Zajc

Tjasa Zajc

Tjaša Zajc is a former healthcare journalist with a passion for digital health. She regularly explores how different cultures and people alike, approach the complexities of healthcare around the world. She has a Masters degree in healthcare management and economics from the University of Ljubljana.

After years of experience in healthcare journalism and event management, she started exploring the effects of IT adoption in the digital health industry through business development and communications management in healthcare IT, currently as part of the OPENeP ePMA team at Better.

She is also an ambassador of FTR4H Global Hub for Digital Health, and active member of the Slovenian digital health community Healthday.si was a mentor in Startupbootcamp Digital Health Berlin and a contributor to MedTech Engine, among other things.

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