The Future Of Exponential Technology In Healthcare | Jack Kreindler | TEDxGatewaySalon

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker reflects on the evolution of medical technology and data science, inspired by Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.' Highlighting the exponential advancements in health and data analytics, he illustrates the transformative impact of technology on medicine through personal anecdotes. Notably, he shares a poignant story about his wife’s battle with cancer, emphasizing the crucial role of data in diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately, the talk champions the potential of innovative technologies to improve healthcare outcomes and save lives, urging a focus on individual experiences in the healthcare narrative.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ultimate intelligent species, according to Douglas Adams, is mice, not humans, illustrating the unexpectedness of intelligence.
• 🤖 Deep Thought, a supercomputer, was created to calculate the ultimate answer to life, which humorously turned out to be 42.
• 📈 The exponential growth of data and technology in medicine has led to significant advancements, including the decoding of the human genome.
• 🩺 Computer vision technologies have been used to analyze CT scans, revealing hidden health issues, particularly in heart disease.
• 📊 Healthcare systems waste a considerable amount of their budget—up to a third—highlighting the need for more efficient practices.
• 💰 The speaker suggests that improved health outcomes can be achieved at a lower cost, emphasizing a dollar-a-day model for health monitoring.
• 🤕 A personal story illustrates how advanced technology helped diagnose a woman with cancer, significantly impacting her fertility journey.
• 🧬 By sequencing tissues, healthcare professionals were able to identify two distinct cancers in the same patient, changing her treatment path.
• 🌍 The future of medicine relies not only on technology but also on ensuring equitable access to these advancements across different regions.
• ⚖️ The balance between regulation and innovation in healthcare is crucial to foster growth while ensuring patient safety and ethical practices.

Q & A

What is the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything according to Douglas Adams?

The ultimate answer is '42', as derived from the story in Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. However, he emphasizes the distinction between data and wisdom.

How has the field of medicine evolved with respect to data and technology?

Medicine has seen exponential advancements in data and technology, such as the rapid progress from the World Wide Web's launch to decoding the human genome within eight years.

What was considered state-of-the-art medical treatment a century ago?

A hundred years ago, medical treatments were rudimentary, with medications like squibs malaria treatment being standard, and practices that would be deemed inappropriate today.

What groundbreaking work is Professor Anthony from Oxford known for?

Professor Anthony is recognized for using computer vision to analyze old CT scans, revealing previously invisible heart disease indicators in patients.

What is the significance of exponential technologies in healthcare?

Exponential technologies have the potential to drastically reduce healthcare costs while improving outcomes by enabling early detection of health issues through vast amounts of data.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate modern medical technology?

The speaker uses the character Darth Vader, who, despite severe physical limitations, is able to thrive due to advanced biotechnology and machine learning.

How much data does the aviation industry produce, and how does it relate to healthcare?

The aviation industry produces immense amounts of data—000 gigabytes per flight—which contributes to its safety and efficiency. This concept is being applied in healthcare to monitor patients effectively.

What problem does the speaker highlight regarding healthcare spending?

The speaker points out that a significant portion of healthcare spending is wasted, and emphasizes the need for better data utilization to improve efficiency and outcomes.

What was the medical journey of the speaker's wife as presented in the talk?

The speaker's wife struggled with infertility, leading to the discovery of cancer. Through advanced genetic sequencing, they determined her cancers were separate, allowing for targeted treatment that ultimately led to her successful pregnancy.

What broader message does the speaker convey regarding the use of technology in healthcare?

The speaker stresses the importance of applying technological advancements to individual patient care, highlighting that individual lives depend on it, not just for saving costs but also for saving and creating lives.