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by, Jason Lockette, MD, MBA
HEALTHCARE INNOVATION COMES TO HUNTSVILLE
The U.S. spends more per capita on healthcare than any other country in the world yet we do not have outcomes to support those huge expenditures. We all know this, yet healthcare costs continue to outpace inflation. Why is this, and what can we do to be more responsible with our healthcare resources? I believe empowering consumers with information through technology is an important component of any solution. Let me explain.
How it works
Download the app and chat with K whenever you don’t feel right. She’ll show you what to expect based on people like you who felt the same.
EVERYONE NEEDS ACCESS TO INFORMATION
In a system as complex as medicine where only the providers have the information we all need to make informed decisions, it’s hard for patients to know when and where to go for care, which often leads to over-utilization. As professionals, we’re paid for this, and our payment is often increased if we decide to do additional testing or treatment, whether or not it’s needed or has any measurable impact on the patient’s health. Every year we see overcrowding in emergency departments and urgent care centers during flu season. Very few of those patients receive any measurable benefit from their visit. They are diagnosed with influenza and experience a few days of fever, chills, and body aches regardless of whether they take any medication. This over-utilization adds cost and decreases access to healthcare for patients whose outcomes we can actually affect.
REPLACING “DR GOOGLE”
Meanwhile, online health content is overly general and sometimes incredibly misleading. At Integrity Family Care, we partnered with a new AI powered health app, called K, to give our patients access to information that is based on real cases from similar people who had similar symptoms. K is not intended to replace a provider but, rather, to replace “Dr. Google.” K recognizes the difference, for example, in the significance of a particular symptom in someone who is 25 years old versus someone who is 75 years old, so the app provides users with information that’s actually relevant to their age, gender, and symptoms. In addition, our partnership with K allows our patients to share their K report with their provider if they choose. 8
Inside Medicine | Late Summer Issue 2018
When we review patients’ K reports, we see detailed information about their symptoms as well as important symptoms they don’t have. We’re able to reassure patients who might not benefit from a visit while expediting the care of those who may have more emergent conditions. K leaves both patient and doctor more informed, which helps us collaborate faster on developing the right care plan for the patient. Our intent is to decrease the number of unnecessary and costly visits while increasing access for patients who really need to be seen. Wouldn’t it be better if we could devote more of our time as providers to helping patients manage dangerous chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension? Better control of these conditions results in fewer hospitalizations and a longer, more productive life. Meanwhile the majority of patients with non-emergent acute issues have enjoyed being able to monitor symptoms at home or pick up a prescription without an in person visit. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
EMPOWERING PATIENTS WITH TECHNOLOGY
Wouldn’t it also be nice if you could see how patients just like you with symptoms just like yours were diagnosed and treated? With this information in hand, patients are reassured to see the kind of care they might expect to need, avoiding
