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Medicine and modern technologies form an inseparable duo, the beneficiaries of which are patients and entire health care systems – this is one of the conclusions of the 12th edition of the MEDmeetsTECH conference. During four thematic sessions, the participants had the opportunity to discuss, inter alia, about the directions of development of the mHealth area, new technologies in telepsychiatry, or non-drug solutions supporting patients with cardiovascular diseases.
The MEDmeetsTECH conference has become a part of the landscape of events important for representatives of the healthcare system, science, business and start-ups. The motto of this year’s meeting was #mHealth and the directions of its development.
Where is #mHealth going?
Experts have no doubts that one of the trends influencing the development of #mHealth is patient-centered approach to health applications. In the evaluation dr Mariusz Borkowski from Tarchomińskie Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Polfa”, redirecting #mHealth solutions to the needs of patients is one of the key elements of the 4P (Predictive, Preventive, Personalized and Participatory) medicine model implemented in modern health care systems, which is to be predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory, the so-called participant.
– An important direction in the development of #mHealth is also the standardization of protocols, e.g. interviewing the patient, as well as the implementation of applications that show a full, holistic picture of the health condition – and not random data about the patient – argued Mariusz Borkowski during his speech. He emphasized that digital medicine can also expect “gamification” of health applications. This procedure is supposed to allow patients to be more involved and to draw their attention to their health without generating stress at the same time. What will have the greatest impact on the shape of #mHealth solutions? According to Mariusz Borkowski, in the coming years, the leader of all the observed digital health trends will be AR Cloud (Augmented Reality Cloud) and AI / VR. Where will VR technology be used? – This important solution will be helpful for patients struggling with depression and anxiety disorders, who, thanks to the virtual world, will be able to establish contact with a medical professional. #MHealth products based on VR are already being developed by such giants as Facebook, Microsoft, Samsung and Sony The expert pointed out.
Poland is a leader in telepsychiatry
The participants of the meeting agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be an important stimulus that accelerated the implementation of modern telemedicine solutions in everyday clinical practice. – The pandemic has forced medicine to open up widely to telemedicine. It also resulted in legal changes in this area, for which – as the Scientific Section of Telepsychiatry of the Polish Psychiatric Association – we have been striving for years – He admitted prof. dr hab. MD Marek Krzystanek, psychiatrist, sexologist, head of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Clinic in Katowice. The clinician shared his experiences related to the implementation of telepsychiatry in the conditions of the Polish health care system. – In the largest clinical trial conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, we managed to prove that in psychiatry, telemedicine is as effective as the therapeutic standard in outpatient treatment. In some respects, it even surpasses it, giving patients better year-over-year improvement. In a study conducted on a group of 300 patients with schizophrenia, we also proved that the use of puzzles and training our brain with the use of smartphones for 7,5 minutes a day – can significantly improve cognitive functions in patients – emphasized Marek Krzystanek.
According to the expert, the solutions of modern telemedicine in everyday clinical practice may help to intensify the therapy. – Already, when talking about psychiatry, we are trying to move away from the clinical, corrective one. We are currently trying to focus on preventive psychiatry supported by telemedicine solutions. It is them that allow doctors to focus on the patient not only during the visit, but also to accompany him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and support the process of his treatment between consultations with therapists and doctors. This allows us to focus on keeping the patient healthy, not just repairing him when he has experienced a mental crisis. The psychiatrist pointed out. During his lecture, the clinician also outlined the key needs of telepsychiatry, which requires, inter alia, creating safe telemedicine platforms that guarantee the safety of data of sensitive patients.
– We also lack a coherent concept of patient records that allows for a standardized analysis of collected data and its transfer between systems. We also need to implement new technologies (including AI, VR) and create medical applications that would be tested. Thanks to this, new technologies could be called digital medicines and would be subject to registration in the same way as drugs – added the expert.
Prof. Marek Krzystanek, drawing the future of solutions in telepsychiatry, also presented new solutions that are waiting for wider use. Among them were, among others an application used in phonotherapy or addiction therapy, as well as the new Cyberdoktor platform, which allows for prediction of the therapeutic effect. The latter has been prepared in the standard of Mental Health Centers, thanks to which it will become an integral element that binds the various levels of the reformed psychiatric care. – The patient will also use this application. For him, it is to be a recovery assistant – it is to stimulate him to take his medications properly, enjoy his achievements and generate a relationship with him, supporting his recovery process – pointed out the professor.
Technologies will allow the pandemic debt to be paid off
During the 12th edition of MEDmeetsTECH, attention was also paid to the use of modern technologies in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Piotr Przygodzki, director of health economics and health policy at Abbott Medical, presented a number of innovative solutions that allow to reduce the mortality rate due to cardiovascular diseases. The presented technologies include, among others system for mechanical support of the left ventricle (for patients with end-stage advanced heart failure), minimally invasive transcatheter valve repair (in the case of mitral valve disease), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator / pacemaker (support for a patient at risk of sudden cardiac arrest), partial measurement Coronary flow reserve FFR (for patients with suspected coronary stenosis).
– In the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, society has incurred a huge health debt. Its scale is already visible in excess deaths. What can help us get out of this situation and pay it off – is the implementation of modern technologies. I hope stakeholders understand this and help implement these technologies – assessed Piotr Przygodzki.
Medonet represented Diana Żochowska, Head of Medonet and Agnieszka Kranz, Head of E-Commerce, Investments and Innovations Ringier Axel Springer Polska in the speech entitled «Medonet as a plug-in platform for innovative solutions in the field of digital health – a case study based on cooperation with startups».
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