| | DECEMBER - JANUARY8UTLOOKHealthcare Tech IN MY OPINIONAn Interview With Dr. Anne Morse, Director, Division of Pediatric Sleep Medicine, GeisingerTransforming Healthcare Delivery: Embracing Innovation and TechnologyIn an interview with MedTech Outlook, Dr. Anne Morse, the Director of Child Neurology and Pediatric Sleep Medicine at Geisinger, discusses the various initiatives, including the "Wake Up and Learn" and "Safe to be Well" programs, which utilize cutting-edge technology to improve continuous care delivery. Dr. Morse foresees emerging trends in healthcare, such as centralizing resources, delivering care outside traditional settings, and the importance of embracing change for better outcomes. She advises budding professionals to embrace novel approaches and be open to change for improved results in healthcare.What are your current roles and responsibilities within your organization?In my current capacity at Geisinger, I hold various roles entailing various responsibilities. Specifically, I serve as the Director of Child Neurology and Pediatric Sleep Medicine. I assume the position of Program Director for the Child Neurology Residency Program. I oversee the child neurology clerkship for medical students and residents from different specialties who rotate within our department. In addition to these obligations, I actively collaborate with the Seal Institute for Innovation, assuming the role of Clinical Lead in numerous innovative initiatives on pediatric care.As an industry leader, what changes have you witnessed over time, what challenges do leaders in this field currently face, and what emerging trends address these challenges?The field of medicine has undergone significant evolution, particularly in terms of increased understanding and complexity. Notably, in neurology, there has been a remarkable progression from a time of limited diagnostic capabilities to an era of extensive interventions and precision medicine. Despite these advancements, clinicians' time constraints remain unchanged, leading to unrealistic expectations of comprehensive knowledge and expertise. This has resulted in a rise of highly specialized practitioners, leading to regional disparities in access to care. Consequently, the focus in medicine has shifted towards improving access, addressing social determinants of health, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Efforts are being made to transition from fee-for-service models to value-based care, emphasizing outcomes rather than radically altering the existing delivery methods. However, a significant barrier persists in episodic and synchronous care delivery, needing a continuous care model. To bridge this gap, there is a need for asynchronous care and effective communication, allowing for timely and comprehensive care delivery, compensating providers for their expertise, and filling knowledge gaps within communities. Technological advancements are being explored to address these challenges, but the current landscape predominantly consists of episodic or point solutions rather than a holistic approach to continuous care.Could you provide insights into any ongoing project initiatives within your purview where you strategically utilize cutting-edge technology to address the challenges effectively?I want to discuss two independent yet related programs, "Wake Up and Learn" and "Safe to be Well," which I have spearheaded. These initiatives align with my strong emphasis on continuous care delivery, empowering individuals to be actively engaged and educated in their healthcare journeys. In 2019, I conceptualized "Wake Up and Learn," a virtual school-based program focused on sleep education and screening. The program's primary
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