Prof. Georgi Chaltikyan, MD, PhD: Interview on Capacity Building for Telemedicine and Digital Health

Summary

This discussion delves into the future of healthcare through digital transformation, focusing on the role of digital health and AI in reshaping systems. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, healthcare providers, regulators, and industry to drive change. The speaker emphasizes the importance of education and capacity building, particularly through the Master's in Digital Health program, to prepare future leaders. With a vision for a data-driven, AI-powered healthcare landscape, the speaker stresses overcoming challenges like the digital divide and ensuring accessibility for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 The future of healthcare is digital, with telemedicine, e-health, and AI playing pivotal roles in transforming how healthcare is delivered.
• 😀 Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for advancing digital health, involving academia, healthcare providers, regulators, payers, startups, and the wider public.
• 😀 Digital health initiatives require a broad, cross-stakeholder dialogue to succeed, as emphasized by the WHO's strategy documents.
• 😀 Conflicting interests between different stakeholders, such as government bodies, healthcare providers, and industry players, can hinder progress but collaboration remains crucial.
• 😀 Digital health, including AI, is expected to drive significant shifts in healthcare and wellness, reshaping how people interact with and receive medical care.
• 😀 The digital health ecosystem should ensure equitable access to technology, avoiding the creation of a digital divide that could exclude certain populations from benefiting.
• 😀 AI-driven health solutions have the potential to significantly improve individual health journeys by processing vast amounts of digital data from various sources.
• 😀 Education and capacity building are key in preparing the next generation of leaders in digital health, who will guide the transformation of healthcare systems globally.
• 😀 The Masters of Digital Health (MDH) program is positioned to be a key qualification in healthcare and public health, contributing to the professional development of leaders in the field.
• 😀 The transition from medical informatics to digital health reflects a broader, more comprehensive approach to health technology, focusing not just on data, but on wellness and healthcare delivery.
• 😀 Dr. Georgie stresses that digital health and AI are not optional but necessary components of the future, urging continuous progress despite the challenges faced.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Dr. Georgie and his association in the context of digital health?

Dr. Georgie and his association focus on bringing together various stakeholders in the digital health domain, such as academia, healthcare providers, regulators, and industry players. They emphasize the importance of collaboration across sectors to advance digital health.

Why is interdisciplinary collaboration critical for the success of digital health initiatives?

Digital health is a highly interdisciplinary field, requiring input and cooperation from various sectors. This includes academia, healthcare providers, government, startups, and the public. Effective collaboration ensures that all perspectives are considered, fostering innovation and driving forward digital health transformation.

How does Dr. Georgie describe the future of healthcare in relation to digital technologies?

Dr. Georgie envisions a future where healthcare is heavily driven by digital technologies, particularly AI and data analysis. He believes these technologies will guide individuals' health and wellness journeys, leading to a more data-driven, personalized approach to healthcare.

What are some of the challenges faced in the implementation of digital health transformation?

One of the main challenges is the conflicting interests and motivations among various stakeholders. Additionally, there are difficulties in ensuring that digital health solutions are accessible, affordable, and safe, and that they do not exacerbate the digital divide.

How does Dr. Georgie perceive the role of AI in the future of healthcare?

Dr. Georgie sees AI as a transformative force in healthcare. He believes AI will lead to 'tectonic shifts' in the way healthcare and wellness are delivered, with AI processing vast amounts of digital health data to guide individuals' decisions and journeys.

What is Dr. Georgie's stance on the accessibility of digital health solutions?

Dr. Georgie emphasizes the importance of making digital health solutions accessible and affordable to all, highlighting the risk of creating a digital divide where only certain populations benefit from these advancements. He believes it is crucial to ensure that everyone has equal access to the benefits of digital health.

What role does education play in the transformation of digital health according to Dr. Georgie?

Dr. Georgie stresses that education and capacity building are critical to overcoming the challenges in digital health. He believes that students, as future leaders in the field, will play an essential role in driving the transformation and helping health systems adapt to digital technologies.

What is the significance of the Masters in Digital Health (MDH) program in Dr. Georgie's vision?

The MDH program represents a significant step toward integrating digital health into healthcare and public health. Dr. Georgie envisions this qualification as a key credential in healthcare, similar to other major public health degrees, helping to establish digital health as a core discipline within the healthcare system.

What is Dr. Georgie's view on the current state of digital health in Armenia?

Dr. Georgie acknowledges that while progress is being made, there are still challenges in Armenia regarding the digital health transformation. His efforts, through the association, are focused on building cross-sector collaboration and bridging gaps in understanding between various stakeholders.

How does Dr. Georgie suggest overcoming the digital divide in healthcare?

Dr. Georgie advocates for a collective effort from digital health experts, governments, and other stakeholders to ensure that digital health solutions are made available, affordable, and safe for everyone. He stresses that addressing the digital divide is a shared responsibility to ensure equitable access to digital health benefits.