| | AUGUST 20228UTLOOKHealthcare Tech We live in a vast and ever-expanding world of technology composed of electronic wizardry that can only be described as such to those not hardwired to the flow of circuits and electrons. We are in an era where space travel is on the cusp of reality, foreign language is translated at the touch of a button and we can detect possible arrythmias with our watches. Healthcare has been at the front of technological innovations from the first surgical needles to the da Vinci Surgical System. While still short of the sci-fi dream of nanobots sewing up blaster fire; we still have current tech performing amazing feats. As time lopes about on its undulating frequency of innovations; we are about to enter a world where a toilet can monitor waste for blood and biomarkers and your annual checkup will be via smartphone. Technology has been far ahead of the health care legacy to maintain care. As a silver lining to the pandemic it forced the healthcare world to pause long enough to close some of those ideal and technological gaps. The first mass produced mRNA vaccine was brought to market to the effective impact of slowing a raging pandemic; Face-to-Face meetings and interviews now involve a computer monitor and telemedicine was finally given its first true opportunity out of the necessity to maintain patient care, a path I feel we can never reverse, all for the better patient care.In the sub-sect of Pharmaceutical healthcare, this change in American perspective has a remarkable impact. Pharmacists are becoming more utilized as care givers and providers beyond the perception as simple re-packagers the chain pharmacies have created for the profession. As we look at our growing digital world, it is critical we also evaluate how we are discussing our levels of patient care. Often when we speak of "health care" it is focused as the physical health and condition of how the body is composed; it also includes mental and behavioral health. Technology has allowed us a new way to interface between those three major components via our smart devices and communication systems driving the idea of Digital Health. This is a common place discussion when discussing a vehicle as it contains a variety of electrical wires, component relays and computers. The human body is perceived differently, even though the same is true; a system of nerves, neurons and brain tissue that function on those same electrons. Technology is driving the way humans access information about our worlds and more so specifically, health information. Digital health is our bridge between the physical and technical world. At this time, we have the opportunity to produce products that are available in the space where patients need the greatest guidance, at their homes! In our world economy, where patients are consumers of everything from peanuts to Porsche cars from the seat of their couch, it is critical healthcare meets patients where they want to receive care. This technological shift has helped to create a whole new business segment of the new healthcare landscape; digiceuticals. While not clearly defined, a digiceutical is essentially any medically prescribed smart device application designed to improve personal health. The goal of these platforms is to provide real-time suggestions to alter behavior in the goal to improve medical outcomes. This is simply another tool in the toolkit we can use to assist patients beyond physical medications and therapy.As medicine continues to move to a more patient specific biological impact; additional touch points are needed for the patient to achieve optimal care. This gap has been filled traditionally by the physical presence of the pharmacist, but due to changes in the pharmacy landscape and Pharmacy Benefit Manager practices, a new space forSpecialty Pharmacy services has risen. It is not feasible to have a pharmacist in 24-hour contact with every patient, nor is it a reasonable request. However, by utilizing the digiceutical network of smart applications, you can obtain some benefits of a side-by-side health advocate without the burden being physically present. As this is Healthcare Tech and HumansBy Neil Creasey, Director of Pharmacy Operations, Holzer Health SystemNeil CreaseyIN MY OPINION
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