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People’s lives have changed post-Covid and they have learned to become more comfortable with technology for self-monitoring or being monitored by someone else remotely, or speaking to a doctor remotely.
How design is transforming healthcare at home
Three shifts in managing chronic conditions at home
Our August 2024 Smart Salon explored the transformative shifts in how chronic conditions are managed, moving from the traditional clinic setting to the comfort of patients’ homes. Design and innovation experts Alex Diener (Dexcom), Jessi Pervola (Omada Health), and Sameer Sethi (Hackensack Meridian Health) shed light on several factors behind the shift toward home health care, barriers we still need to overcome, and opportunities for product makers and providers to enhance patient outcomes at home.
Shift 1: Patient-driven demand for remote care
Patient attitudes towards remote care have shifted significantly, with many becoming more comfortable and even preferring virtual consultations and remote monitoring tools. This change has been catalyzed by advancements in technology and the increased accessibility of tele-health services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, challenges remain in fully integrating remote care into the healthcare system, such as ensuring equitable access for all patients and establishing reimbursement models that incentivize providers to offer remote care options.
Shift 2: Technology and data at the forefront
New technologies, like Dexcom’s G7 continuous glucose monitors and virtual care platforms like Omada Health, are transforming how chronic conditions are managed from home. These tools empower patients with real-time data and insights, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health, collaborate more effectively with their healthcare providers, and facilitate greater access to care, especially for those in rural or underserved areas. However, the interpretation and actionability of the vast amounts of data generated and determining how to help patients make sense of the abundance of data available still remains a hurdle.
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We're starting to use generative AI to look at a member’s food and biometric data and pull out the interesting summaries. Then our coaches can make that human call of, 'Oh, look, there's something here I haven't seen. There's a pattern that AI has found over the past month around someone's eating. That's an interesting topic now for us to go deep on.'
Shift 3: Value-based care’s growing influence
The healthcare industry is moving toward a value-based care model, which prioritizes patient outcomes and cost reduction. This incentivizes the development and adoption of remote care solutions that can effectively manage chronic conditions outside of traditional healthcare settings. This transition necessitates a seamless integration of patient-generated data into existing healthcare workflows and clinical decision-making processes, which remains difficult. Healthcare systems, regulators and technology companies need to find ways of working together to integrate patient-generated data into electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision-making processes.
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Some of the most interesting case studies are happening way out in these rural areas where these doctors can go to employers and say, 'hey, you know, if you employ this technology, I think I can bring your your costs down, and I'm going to deliver better health for your patients.'
Our panelists envision several areas for product designers to focus efforts
How can we leverage AI and predictive analytics to personalize care, provide insights in real-time, and identify potential health issues early on?
How can we enhance patient-provider collaboration through seamless communication and shared decision-making?
How can we find more meaningful ways to utilize the vast amount of health data being generated to improve patient outcomes?
Smart Design is committed to partnering with healthcare organizations to develop innovative solutions that improve the lives of people with chronic conditions. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more about how we can partner to build a healthier world for tomorrow.