How Big Data Could Transform The Health Care Industry

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Eric Shot from the Mount Si Health System explores the future of medicine, highlighting how technology and big data will revolutionize healthcare. He envisions a world where the largest medical systems won't own hospitals, but instead rely on devices monitoring millions of patients' health. These devices will allow early detection and prevention of diseases like cancer and diabetes. With advancements in personalized care, such as Bluetooth-enabled devices and genome sequencing, healthcare will become increasingly individualized, leading to better outcomes and a more efficient system.

Takeaways

• 😀 The future of medicine will rely heavily on devices that monitor patients' health remotely, with no need for physical hospitals.
• 😀 Big data will enable personalized healthcare by allowing doctors to access real-time data from wearable devices and other monitoring tools.
• 😀 Advances in technology, such as Bluetooth-enabled inhalers and blood pressure monitors, will be essential in creating individualized health solutions.
• 😀 The cost of sequencing the human genome has dropped significantly, making it possible to create personalized health plans based on individual genetic data.
• 😀 Healthcare in the future will shift from treating diseases to preventing them, detecting early signs of conditions like cancer or diabetes before they escalate.
• 😀 Algorithms will play a key role in predicting health risks and triggering necessary interventions before patients need hospital care.
• 😀 Dr. Eric Shot's background in biomathematics and his focus on using technology to improve healthcare shows how interdisciplinary fields can drive medical innovation.
• 😀 Medicine has not kept up with the cultural shift toward openness and sharing of data, but Dr. Shot advocates for making medical information more accessible.
• 😀 The integration of personalized therapy will allow doctors to tailor treatments to an individual's unique health needs, improving overall care.
• 😀 The ultimate goal is to create a healthcare system where people are constantly engaged with their health data, but not necessarily having to actively manage it unless needed.

Q & A

What is the vision for the future of medicine described in the script?

The vision for the future of medicine involves the use of devices that monitor millions of patients simultaneously, aiming to detect early signs of diseases like cancer and prevent them from ever occurring. This approach contrasts with current systems where hospitals are central to healthcare delivery.

How does the future of healthcare compare to major companies like Uber and Airbnb?

The future of healthcare is likened to companies like Uber and Airbnb, which dominate their industries without owning physical assets (like cars or hotels). Similarly, the largest medical systems will focus on technology and devices rather than owning hospitals.

What role will big data play in the practice of medicine?

Big data will fundamentally transform how physicians personalize care by providing individualized health models for each patient. This will involve constant monitoring through devices, enabling early interventions for conditions like diabetes or cancer.

What are some examples of health-monitoring devices mentioned in the script?

The script mentions Bluetooth-enabled inhalers for asthma, scales, blood pressure monitors, and EKG devices as examples of health-monitoring devices that will help track patients' health.

How has the cost of sequencing the human genome changed over time?

The first human genome sequence cost $3 billion, but now it can be done for about $1,000, which highlights the advancements in technology and the potential for personalized medicine.

What is the ultimate goal of personalized medicine as described in the video?

The ultimate goal is to develop personalized therapies that are specifically tailored to an individual’s unique genetic and health data. This will help physicians offer more accurate and effective treatments, improving outcomes and efficiency.

How does the script highlight the role of technology in healthcare?

The script emphasizes the growing role of technology, particularly wearable devices and health-monitoring tools, in transforming healthcare by providing real-time data that can prevent diseases and personalize care.

What challenges in the healthcare system are highlighted in the script?

One challenge discussed is the slow adaptation of the healthcare system to cultural shifts like open data sharing. The speaker points out that while personal data (like that in Gmail) is highly accessible, medical data remains more restricted.

What is the significance of Dr. Eric's background in math and computer science?

Dr. Eric's background in math and computer science, particularly in differential geometry, allowed him to apply complex problem-solving techniques to biomathematics, helping to create more effective systems in healthcare.

How does the script envision the future of patient engagement in healthcare?

The future of patient engagement will involve a more passive, continuous involvement through devices that monitor health. Patients will be informed if there’s a significant risk, such as developing diabetes, but they won’t need to actively manage their health every day.