Health, arguably the single most important aspect of our lives, is undertaking a technology transformation.
Like any sector medicine has changed and developed over time. Research, clinical breakthroughs and technology all enhance and develop what is possible. Better methods for diagnosis, more complex surgery, development of cures and in some cases the elimination of disease. DNA, the very code of life, has become something we can understand, and stem cells herald the possibility of rejuvenating the body.
An area of current debate is the development of artificial intelligence and networks in medicine, and with it the question of what role the doctor plays. As technology takes over some functions previously undertaken by the clinician, what is the role of the traditional GP?
Uber, Amazon, Netflix are all examples of businesses tapping into the ability to leverage networks using technology. Similar changes are apparent in healthcare. ‘Uber style’ apps can send the closest doctor to your home out of hours and artificial intelligence algorithms can replicate the diagnostic process.
These changes represent significant progress, and while it may not be clear at this moment which of the technologies will be successful, the effects they will have on healthcare delivery are likely to be profound. Just on its own the ability to reach out to large populations and successfully triage or treat means a step change for many public health economies.
However, it can be argued that what this large-scale systemisation of healthcare represents is the creation of a product, maybe even a commoditisation, in an industry which historically has been considered a service.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing; service industries are by definition more difficult to replicate, products tending to be easier. The creation of healthcare products which can be replicated provides tremendous potential to alleviate large scale public health issues. The recent announcement by Theresa May to use artificial intelligence in the NHS; cross referencing medical records, genetics and lifestyle with a national data base with the intention to identify and so reduce those at risk of cancer is aimed at preventing 20,000 cancer deaths a year. So potentially what we may see going forward is polarisation between the service and product side of healthcare.
At The London General Practice, based in London’s Harley Street, we focus on the service side, providing healthcare to our clients both in the UK and across the globe. Our client base compromises predominantly high net worth individuals, their families, and members of their organisations, and from our experience their priorities are finding someone they can trust, timeliness and swift resolution. Our patients also seek direct contact with the person in charge of their care, access to help and advice 24 hours a day. Our proposition is that for our internationally mobile base we provide first of all a service, and technology becomes just one part of that, an enabler to achieve our goals.
We have access to the latest in diagnostic tools; results for blood tests can be returned to us in a matter of hours and diagnostics such as CT or X-Ray can be reported with finding the same day. Technology means that we can assess blood results wherever a client may be Remote telemetry for a patient is available so that
key vital signs; blood pressure, heart rate, ecg traces, temperate, weight, respiratory function etc can all be monitored remotely and analysed. Not only does this ensure that health treatments are continuous without interruption but any changes from a normal baseline can be flagged much earlier.
As a practice we also look after individuals who may have complex healthcare needs. In such cases they are likely to be under the care of multiple specialists. In an environment where each specialist of healthcare has more to offer, where the opportunity for tests and investigations is greater, there is then more need for someone to pull together these numerous strands. The role of the practice becomes one of a co-ordinator, drawing together and making sense of multiple care specialists, prioritising what needs to be done and managing an integrated care plan.
There is no doubt that technology will change how healthcare is delivered. The networking potential which is now available, combined with forthcoming artificial intelligence, will have tremendous impact, enabling populations to manage large scale health issues more efficiently.
As technology grows so will the services which use it, with enhanced speed and accuracy. In today’s age with the ability to securely transmit medical information, the availability of remote telemetry and diagnostics means that an individual clients healthcare needs can be managed no matter where they are in the world.
Richard Pisarski is Managing Director of The London General Practice . thelondongeneralpractice.com/
