If you have any mindshare for non-COVID topics, here's a new article with perspective on where digital therapeutics are today and what needs to happen next to unlock the full potential of #DTX.
h/t to @dtx_alliance members for helping to inform this perspective, especially @PropellerHealth, which served as a great example for the hypothetical scenario at the start. Thanks especially to @cwhogg, who has been incredibly thoughtful on this topic:
Amidst the excitement about consumer wearables, we need to realize how different these models are:
1) Device + algorithm alone 2) Device/algo + your HCP 3) Device/algo + 3rd party coach/HCP
Common tech, but very different biz models, evidence reqs, regulatory, etc.
⬇️THREAD⬇️
1) Device + algo alone:
-Self-Tracking for Fitness/Wellness
-Health Screening (alerts user of a *possible* issue & suggests they see HCP)
-> Can differentiate consumer devices
-> May enable consumer subscription biz
-> May enable device sales to employers and payers
2a) Device/algo + your HCP:
-Remote Patient Monitoring: HCPs track/alerted on specific issues (e.g., adherence, disease exacerbation) to enable early intervention
->Promising clinical/cost impact
-> VERY challenging to get HCPs on board due to reimbursement and workflow concerns
As anticipated, the virus is accelerating adoption of virtual mental health: @ginger_io 50% increase March vs. Feb @Livongo 140% increase for @mystrengthbh March vs. Sept (obv not just due to virus) @OMadA 10x increase in behav. tools among diabetes patients
This @seanduffy editorial will get attention for its POV on DH definitions, but more important is @omadahealth's public affirmation of their strategy to be a Digital Care Provider. Simple way to understand this: they're more likely to compete with @onemedical than @Pear_Tx 1/6
Omada is one of several digital disease management companies (or, now, Digital Care Providers?) organized and licensed as medical practices, along with @Livongo@virtahealth@onduo. Expect many more of these models across different disease areas and patient populations. 2/6
The major differences between these digital disease management companies and innovative primary care models like @iorahealth@goforward and even Amazon Care are 1) how heavily they rely on digital health tech and 2) the innovation of and evidence for their care models 3/6
I think the only times this difficult strategy MIGHT work are when there is 1) Real consumer demand around a clinical need AND 2) Clear connection/progression from DTC to clinical version (technology and/or customer acquisition) 2/5
Pregnancy is a great example of a use case that might meet both criteria (though a skeptic would note that @bloom_life's uptake to date has been limited... just 10,000 users and only 50/hours per user). 3/5
The catch-22 for CDS:
•If software makes recommendations that differ from guidelines or what most doctors would recommend, people think the software doesn’t work
•If software always aligns with guidelines or physician consensus, people ask what the value of the software is
2/5
There are (at least) two solutions to this catch 22. 1) Even if the software just recommends what’s in the guidelines or physician consensus, that can have value by saving clinicians time and by expanding access to specialty knowledge (especially in developing markets) 3/5