Key themes we discussed - in order to create value for patients and families, an entirely new generation of products and services will be needed. Ideas ranged from "Zagat" type guides to help patients select providers based on personal preferences, easy ways for patients to find appropriate clinical trials, and 'Facebook for Health' as a means for patients to seek and exchange data with a community of caregivers, family members, and supporting services.
In a world of healthcare reform, there is a need for better capture of data including patient generated data. There is a need for more exchange of information for care coordination and population management. There is a need for more analytics and decision support. All of this must done while protecting patient privacy.
Although the conversation started with buzzwords like "cloud", "mobile", and "BYOD", it rapidly changed focus to patients and their families.
One thing is clear. In order for an ecosystem of products to develop which enhance the experience of healthcare, there must be more data liquidity. Silos of information and silos of care must be eliminated.
Massachusetts goes live with its statewide HIE on October 15, 2012. Several institutions in the Commonwealth have already implemented distributed/federated queries for clinical trials and clinical research. State government is working on infrastructure to record and exchange consent preferences. The ingredients for innovation are well aligned - funding, political will, and infrastructure. Our rate limiting factors to improving the status quo are fear of the unknown and the challenges of managing the change itself.
A great discussion.