Building a Better Healthcare Future: Equity, AI, and Patient Needs

In today's healthcare landscape, the push for innovation is constant. But how do we ensure that new technologies and approaches truly serve everyone, especially diverse populations? This discussion with Torrie Kuwana, a Clinical & Medical Affairs Strategist, dives into the critical need for equitable design, the real potential of AI, and how to keep patient needs at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Equity from the Start: Health equity isn't an add-on; it must be baked into the design process from the very beginning. This means using diverse data sets to avoid algorithmic bias and considering tech access alongside traditional health access.
• Breaking Down Silos: Fragmented health systems and siloed Electronic Health Records (EHRs) create significant barriers to consistent patient care. Technology needs to fit into existing workflows, not add more steps.
• AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement: AI holds immense promise for earlier disease detection, personalized treatment, and real-time guidance. It can help identify risks before they become critical, but it won't replace the human touch, empathy, or compassion in care.
• Patient-Centric Innovation: The most impactful innovations are those that address real patient needs and fit seamlessly into clinical workflows. Empathy drives adoption, and efficiency alone isn't enough.
• The Ideal Tech-Powered Experience: This includes an EHR system where data follows the patient, seamless integration of wearables (made accessible to all), and clear, multilingual patient education that empowers shared decision-making.
• Advice for Builders: Focus on diverse data sets, actively seek feedback from all users (even critics), understand clinical workflows deeply, and build with humility and compassion for everyone, not just a select few.

The Foundation: Equity in Design

Consistent care starts with equitable care. Torrie emphasizes that when we lack diverse data sets for creating algorithms, we build in barriers from the get-go. This isn't just about having insurance or being able to see a doctor; it's also about having reliable internet access and the health literacy to understand information. Equity needs to be a core consideration from the moment an idea is conceived, not an afterthought.

Overcoming Systemic Hurdles

One of the biggest roadblocks Torrie sees is fragmented health systems. EHRs, which are supposed to facilitate the transfer of patient information, often don't communicate effectively. This puts a huge burden on clinicians who are already stretched thin. Add to this the challenges of setting up telehealth infrastructure and the fact that most patients enter the healthcare system when they are already very sick, often in the emergency room. This prevention gap means we're often treating crises instead of proactively managing wellness. Incentivizing and reimbursing preventative care is key to shifting this dynamic.

Innovation Rooted in Real Needs

When developing new technologies, especially AI, it's easy to get caught up in creating something technically brilliant. However, Torrie stresses the importance of asking: Does this fit into the existing workflow? What problem does it actually solve for patients and clinicians? If a new tool requires extra steps, adoption will suffer. Efficiency matters, but empathy is what truly drives people to use new solutions. We need both.

AI's Role in Personalized and Timely Care

There's a lot of talk about AI replacing jobs, but Torrie offers a different perspective. AI won't replace empathy or compassion. Instead, it can be a powerful tool for earlier disease detection. For example, AI can analyze EKGs to predict risks for conditions like atrial fibrillation or heart failure, allowing for earlier intervention. Real-time guidance from AI-powered devices can also lead to more timely and equitable care, preventing serious events like strokes. It's about using technology to enhance, not replace, human connection.

Exciting Trends in Digital Health and AI

Torrie is particularly excited about the intersections AI and digital health are creating. In cardiology, for instance, there's growing exploration into areas like cardioobstetrics – identifying women at risk for preeclampsia, which can have long-term cardiovascular implications. The links between cardiology and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's, as well as cardiooncology and cardioreumatology, are also fascinating areas where innovation is poised to make a significant impact.

Designing the Ideal Patient Experience

In an ideal world, Torrie envisions an EHR system that is agnostic, meaning your data follows you regardless of the hospital or vendor. Integrating wearables into this system is also crucial, but these devices need to be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford expensive options. Patient education is another vital piece. Using plain language and multiple languages, we can empower patients with the knowledge they need to be active participants in their own care and in shared decision-making.

Advice for Healthcare Builders

For technologists and innovators in healthcare, Torrie offers clear advice:

1. Build Diverse Data Sets: Ensure your AI models are trained on diverse patient populations to avoid bias and ensure accuracy for everyone.
2. Listen to the Voice of the Customer: Talk to everyone – not just your supporters, but also your critics. This feedback is invaluable for building better, more robust products.
3. Understand the Workflow: Deeply understand how clinicians and staff work. Solutions must integrate smoothly into their daily routines to be scalable.
4. Build with Humility and Compassion: Design for all patients, not just the elite or easily reached. Intention and compassion should guide every step.

By focusing on equity, understanding real-world needs, and leveraging technology thoughtfully, we can build a healthcare system that is more effective, accessible, and truly patient-centered. Visit https://www.dezyit.com to learn more about how we're contributing to this future.