[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":2122},["ShallowReactive",2],{"category-security-privacy":3},{"category":4,"posts":42,"featured":2120,"ebooks":2121},{"id":5,"count":6,"description":7,"link":8,"name":9,"slug":10,"taxonomy":11,"parent":12,"meta":13,"acf":14,"z_taxonomy_image_url":17,"yoast_meta":18,"taxonomy_image":17,"_links":21},799,62,"Security, privacy issues, ransom ware scandals and blockchain are all important topics that shape the future of healthcare.","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fcategory\u002Fsecurity-privacy\u002F","Security & Privacy","security-privacy","category",0,[],{"listing_order":15,"child_category_ids":16},"22",false,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F037_dictatorships.png",{"yoast_wpseo_title":19,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":20},"Security & Privacy - The Medical Futurist","Find the latest security and privacy articles from The Medical Futurist!",{"self":22,"collection":28,"about":31,"wp:post_type":34,"curies":37},[23],{"href":24,"targetHints":25},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories\u002F799",{"allow":26},[27],"GET",[29],{"href":30},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories",[32],{"href":33},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftaxonomies\u002Fcategory",[35],{"href":36},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts?categories=799",[38],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",true,[43,255,397,505,619,764,881,1046,1180,1309,1442,1563,1697,1804,1901,2017],{"id":44,"date":45,"date_gmt":46,"guid":47,"modified":49,"modified_gmt":50,"slug":51,"status":52,"type":53,"link":54,"title":55,"content":57,"excerpt":59,"author":61,"featured_media":62,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":66,"categories":67,"tags":71,"project_category":88,"contact_email_category":93,"yst_prominent_words":94,"class_list":107,"better_featured_image":138,"acf":189,"yoast_meta":203,"_links":206},24423,"2026-07-02T06:55:12","2026-07-02T04:55:12",{"rendered":48},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=24423&_wpnonce=e91e46a1c5&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-07-02T06:55:13","2026-07-02T04:55:13","what-happens-to-your-medical-data-after-you-die","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-happens-to-your-medical-data-after-you-die",{"rendered":56},"What Happens To Your Medical Data After You Die?",{"rendered":58,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>“Almost no one has thought about what is going to happen to all of the medical records that sit around after people die,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2019\u002F5\u002F28\u002F18642621\u002Fmedical-records-donate-science-digital-data-health-body-death\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said Jon Cornwall\u003C\u002Fa>, senior lecturer in the Centre for Early Learning in Medicine at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Indeed, even if death is one of the most certain things in life, we have little control or knowledge about what happens to our collected health data after that point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To see for yourself, you could try answering those following questions. How familiar are you with your digital health data footprint? Do you even know about the kind of health data generated about you and where it ends up? And what happens with this ever-growing pile of information after you die? Who owns this data and who can get access to it? Why could this even be interesting and for whom? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the advent of digital health technologies such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-big-symptom-checker-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">chatbots\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-health-wearables\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">fitness trackers\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmydna-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">direct-to-consumer genetic tests\u003C\u002Fa>, that amount of health data soars to new heights with more individual and precise data piling up day by day. It would thus make sense to be able to donate such data; in similar ways we can donate our bodies for science. But it’s not as straightforward as it sounds, and such valuable individualised data are preyed upon by companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We dived into the mainly overlooked area of posthumous medical data and almost got lost. Here are our findings; but just a heads up: it’s messy and complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Little digital breadcrumbs everywhere\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Just as Hansel and Gretel dropped little breadcrumbs along the path in the forest to find their way back home, we leave tons of tiny digital breadcrumbs about ourselves in the digital universe. Facebook posts, e-mails, signing up to newsletters, cookies following our search history, interests, and preferences. The data piles up to form a unique digital identity. In a few decades, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Farticle\u002Fus-global-tech-privacy-trfn\u002Fdata-of-the-dead-virtual-immortality-exposes-holes-in-privacy-laws-idUSKBN21Z0NF?edition-redirect=in\" target=\"_blank\">it is even expected\u003C\u002Fa> that the number of Facebook profiles belonging to dead people will outnumber those of living users. The online space stores everything and never forgets.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And what happens with the digital identity after someone’s death? As it certainly creates awkward moments when Facebook signals the birthday of a deceased friend, for example, more and more people realise that the digital era has reached a point where we also have to deal with the digital afterlife. However, so far, it has only created weirdness and confusion. You have online memorial services; \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.thedigitalbeyond.com\u002Fonline-services-list\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">companies who help you plan your digital death\u003C\u002Fa> and afterlife; or even \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lifenaut.com\u002Flearn-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">re-create algorithms\u003C\u002Fa> to make a “digital back-up of their mind”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such endeavours bring us closer to a reality akin to the “Be Right Back” \u003Cem>Black Mirror \u003C\u002Fem>episode where the protagonist “resurrects” her deceased lover in virtual form based on his online communications and profile. Already, social network \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.eter9.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">ETER9\u003C\u002Fa> promises to give users “cyber eternity” by pairing them with their A. I. counterparts, which learn their online behaviours and interact on their behalf, even after their demise. It’s still in Beta mode with over 100 000 registered users. The \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Feternime_?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\">Eternime project\u003C\u002Fa> also offers something similar with nearly 47,000 subscribers, but \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Farticle\u002Fus-global-tech-privacy-trfn\u002Fdata-of-the-dead-virtual-immortality-exposes-holes-in-privacy-laws-idUSKBN21Z0NF?edition-redirect=in\" target=\"_blank\">a lack of funding\u003C\u002Fa> put it on hold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Who might not be short on funds is a Big Tech company like Microsoft. The latter was \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.popularmechanics.com\u002Ftechnology\u002Frobots\u002Fa35165370\u002Fmicrosoft-resurrects-the-dead-chatbots\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recently granted a patent\u003C\u002Fa> to develop a chat bot that converses “in the personality of a specific person” based on social data. The company \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpdfpiw.uspto.gov\u002F.piw?PageNum=0&docid=10853717&IDKey=6E72242A6301&HomeUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-bool.html%2526r%3D31%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526co1%3DAND%2526d%3DPTXT%2526s1%3Dmicrosoft.ASNM.%2526OS%3DAN%2Fmicrosoft%2526RS%3DAN%2Fmicrosoft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">further contemplates\u003C\u002Fa> pairing the technology with a 2D or 3D model of that person. But it’s still “only” a patent, with practical applications, if ever, remaining to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-our-brains-health-in-black-mirror\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Black Mirror \u003C\u002Fem>vibe\u003C\u002Fa> is here and gives us much to contemplate about. Think about it: your grandchildren could converse with the online version of you 40 years from now. And it also raises a host of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">privacy concerns\u003C\u002Fa>, now that data is the new oil. Moreover, the digital breadcrumb trail further extends beyond the social media space and into the healthcare space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cstrong>Dr. Frankenstein stitching your medical data\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Similarly to the digital identity feeding off the breadcrumbs you drop off every time you use the Internet, an ever-growing Frankenstein’s monster evolves out of your medical data. Such data are collected from your birth; but in most cases – and surprisingly enough – this pile of information doesn’t belong to you. Moreover, you don’t have the chance to control it. If you look at the amount of data in question, you will realise the vanity of such an enterprise; and that this is not a far-fetched claim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1630\" height=\"795\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records-Archive.jpg\" alt=\"medical data\" class=\"wp-image-24425\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records-Archive.jpg 1630w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records-Archive-768x375.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records-Archive-1536x749.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records-Archive-512x250.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1630px) 100vw, 1630px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.gsb.stanford.edu\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You get into the universe of medical administration the moment you are born. When you end up in a hospital, medical professionals use charts containing notes and information for diagnosis and treatment. These get into \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rasmussen.edu\u002Fdegrees\u002Fhealth-sciences\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-long-are-medical-records-kept\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">your (electronic) medical records\u003C\u002Fa>; and every private or public hospital or medical facility where you receive treatment will preserve some medical records of you. These generate \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rasmussen.edu\u002Fdegrees\u002Fhealth-sciences\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-long-are-medical-records-kept\u002F\">general hea\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rasmussen.edu\u002Fdegrees\u002Fhealth-sciences\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-long-are-medical-records-kept\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">lth records\u003C\u002Fa> accessible by healthcare professionals; as well as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rasmussen.edu\u002Fdegrees\u002Fhealth-sciences\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-long-are-medical-records-kept\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">personal health records\u003C\u002Fa> with details like immunisation history, family medical history and past diagnoses meant for access by patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now add to that the daily data gathered from digital health technologies from your phone to your smartwatch and the amount gets staggeringly huge. For example, the Marshfield Clinic health system in Wisconsin is on track to store more medical records from deceased patients in its data repository than of living patients \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.researchgate.net\u002Fprofile\u002FVojtech_Huser\u002Fpublication\u002F268431422_Evaluating_the_size_of_deceased_patient_EHR_research_data_sets_A_multi-year_trend_analysis\u002Flinks\u002F546b0da00cf20dedafd3ab7c\u002FEvaluating-the-size-of-deceased-patient-EHR-research-data-sets-A-multi-year-trend-analysis.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">by 2056\u003C\u002Fa>.  As a result of this, millions of posthumous medical records are and will keep sitting around in digital and analogue systems; and that already massive volume is only going to grow. So how do countries deal with those data?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cstrong>The lifetime of health records\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Looking at this Mount Everest of data and the divergent spaces where it can end up, it seems to be very difficult to take ownership of it – even if you’re alive. The specifics vary from country to country. Moreover, there is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2019\u002F5\u002F28\u002F18642621\u002Fmedical-records-donate-science-digital-data-health-body-death\" target=\"_blank\">no proper framework\u003C\u002Fa> in place for one to pass their health data the way that they wish it to be. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Currently, record-holders (whether an heir or legal representative) can easily sell such health information to companies interested in mining medical records for their own business interests; they \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scientificamerican.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-data-brokers-make-money-off-your-medical-records\u002F\">only need to remove certai\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scientificamerican.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-data-brokers-make-money-off-your-medical-records\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">n\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scientificamerican.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-data-brokers-make-money-off-your-medical-records\u002F\"> details\u003C\u002Fa> from the records: such as Social Security numbers, names and detailed addresses to protect people’s privacy. Thus, your anonymized medical records can easily end up in a major pharma company’s hands that aims to profit off of real-world evidence for the efficiency of the drugs you happen to use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1340\" height=\"874\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records.jpg\" alt=\"medical data\" class=\"wp-image-24426\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records.jpg 1340w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records-768x501.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FMedical-Records-512x334.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1340px) 100vw, 1340px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.thejournal.ie\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So what could happen when you are already dead? That’s even more complicated and messy – no matter whether you live in Europe, in the U.S. or in India. Let’s see some examples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. The U.S.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The situation is the most complicated in the U. S. as there’s no federal law settling even that seemingly simple question: “who owns the patient’s medical records?”. In the States, HIPAA \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hhs.gov\u002Fhipaa\u002Ffor-professionals\u002Fprivacy\u002Fguidance\u002Fhealth-information-of-deceased-individuals\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">ensures accessibility of health records\u003C\u002Fa> for 50 years after a patient’s death. However, the usual time frame that record-holders keep them for is much shorter and range around \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rasmussen.edu\u002Fdegrees\u002Fhealth-sciences\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-long-are-medical-records-kept\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">5-10 years after death\u003C\u002Fa>. The law further enables the use of that data, with the access granted by the representatives of the deceased. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. The U.K.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the U.K., after someone dies, their health records \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nhs.uk\u002Fcommon-health-questions\u002Fnhs-services-and-treatments\u002Fcan-i-access-the-medical-records-health-records-of-someone-who-has-died\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">go to the Primary Care Support England\u003C\u002Fa> for storage; generally for 10 years. Up until that point, personal representatives or someone who has a claim resulting from the death can apply to see the medical records of a deceased person. The NHS can further grant researchers access and use of anonymized health records upon request, while also giving patients the option to opt-out. However, it’s not a law but rather an institutional policy, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2019\u002F5\u002F28\u002F18642621\u002Fmedical-records-donate-science-digital-data-health-body-death\" target=\"_blank\">notes Edina Harbinja\u003C\u002Fa>, a senior lecturer in media and privacy law at Aston University in Birmingham, England.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FElectronic-health-records.jpg\" alt=\"medical data\" class=\"wp-image-24427\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FElectronic-health-records.jpg 1200w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FElectronic-health-records-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FElectronic-health-records-512x299.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.techengage.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Hungary\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftasz.hu\u002Fegeszsegugyi-adatok-gyik\" target=\"_blank\">In Hungary\u003C\u002Fa>, medical records have a relatively long lifespan; as long as 30 years. Discharge summaries’ storage goes for even longer, at least for 50 years. Furthermore, their preservation can extend for even longer if it’s justified by scientific research. When a patient dies, their legal representatives, legal heirs, or close relatives have the right to access their medical records – upon written request. This allows them to know the cause of death or the specificities of their treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. India\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nhp.gov.in\u002Fdata-ownership-of-ehr_mtl\" target=\"_blank\">if you look at India\u003C\u002Fa>, upon the demise of the patient, inactivation of records usually happens after three years and archived permanently. They also note that with the rapid decline in costs of data archiving coupled with the ability to store increasing amounts of data that may be readily accessible, continued maintenance of such data in archives does not lead to any difficulties or disturbances – thus records may be kept indefinitely. That might be a direction that other countries and electronic health records storing systems also take up in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What\nabout tracker data or information from genetic tests?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While now you can \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F3706807\u002Ffacebook-death-legacy\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">designate a legacy contact on Facebook\u003C\u002Fa>, you don’t necessarily have that option when it comes to your genetic data. One of the most direct-to-consumer services, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.23andme.com\u002F?myg01=true\" target=\"_blank\">23andMe\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsplinternews.com\u002Fwhat-happens-to-your-genetic-data-when-you-die-1793845957\" target=\"_blank\">previously said that\u003C\u002Fa> they can provide genetic data about a deceased person only to an Executor, Personal Representative or Beneficiary of the deceased’s estate. They also highlighted that those requesting such information must\u003Cem> \u003C\u002Fem>provide evidence and legal documentation indicating they are authorised to act on behalf of the deceased individual. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But 23andMe also \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gsk.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fmedia\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fgsk-and-23andme-sign-agreement-to-leverage-genetic-insights-for-the-development-of-novel-medicines\u002F\">signed a\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gsk.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fmedia\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fgsk-and-23andme-sign-agreement-to-leverage-genetic-insights-for-the-development-of-novel-medicines\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gsk.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fmedia\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fgsk-and-23andme-sign-agreement-to-leverage-genetic-insights-for-the-development-of-novel-medicines\u002F\">$300 million deal\u003C\u002Fa> with pharma giant GSK for drug development. This deal leverages 23andMe’s substantial genetic resources made possible through its customers, who were oblivious that such a deal was in the pipeline. Whether or not such partnerships use the data of deceased customers is unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FGenetic-Data-512x341.jpg\" alt=\"medical data\" class=\"wp-image-24428\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.livingdna.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond the difficulties of obtaining a deceased person’s genetic data, there are also still many questions about its ownership. Is it shared property as we have a lot in common with our parents or grandparents? Is it legal to take genetic information to the grave if we consider the impact it might have on the life of our descendants? Lawyers and researchers have to figure out many issues around genetic data as it becomes more and more widespread to have a genetic test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Regarding fitness trackers, health sensors, or wearables, the issues are very similar. Usually, the user has the option to share their data with one or more persons whom they designate while alive. But usually, they don’t have an option to name a legacy contact. Fitbit’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fitbit.com\u002Fglobal\u002Fus\u002Flegal\u002Fprivacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\">privacy policy says nothing\u003C\u002Fa> about what happens upon death; only that you can delete your data. However, it may take up to 90 days to remove all your information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Can\nyou donate your health data?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Unlike organ donation, ownership of medical data rests in the hands of healthcare providers; without any way of knowing where that ends up. With the detailed, individualised data made available through digital health technologies, there’s scientific value to be had in it. It could help better assess public health issues that require health data over a long timescale. For example, the effect of certain working conditions on the ageing process; or the effects of long term exposure to pollutants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“We didn’t find any systems where you could actively give your data,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2019\u002F5\u002F28\u002F18642621\u002Fmedical-records-donate-science-digital-data-health-body-death\" target=\"_blank\">said Jen Krutzinna\u003C\u002Fa>, a bioethicist and a member of the Digital Ethics Lab at the Oxford Internet Institute. “There’s no way to pass it on in a proper way.” Krutzinna is part of a team at the Oxford Internet Institute working on a proposed “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flink.springer.com\u002Fchapter\u002F10.1007\u002F978-3-030-04363-6_12\" target=\"_blank\">Ethical Code for Posthumous Medical Data Donation\u003C\u002Fa>”. The framework emphasises that, similar to organ donation, posthumous health data should not be commercially exploited; but rather employed for the common good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1050\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002FDonate-Health-Data.gif\" alt=\"medical data\" class=\"wp-image-24429\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.quartz.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Oxford team’s proposed ethical code aims at setting the pace for a process that has yet to materialise. However, it is one that would allow researchers to take advantage of the health data that people leave behind, says Krutzinna. In fact, in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.slideshare.net\u002Fpetrieflom\u002Fjon-cornwall-what-should-happen-to-our-medical-records-when-we-die-140061837\" target=\"_blank\">focus groups conducted by Jon Cornwall\u003C\u002Fa>, participants would agree to have their posthumous medical records handled by the government (rather than private companies); didn’t want the data to be sold; and were also concerned about hacking. “They want anonymity and privacy but want their descendants to have benefits as well,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2019\u002F5\u002F28\u002F18642621\u002Fmedical-records-donate-science-digital-data-health-body-death\" target=\"_blank\">Cornwall said\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In a similar way, as it gets hard to track where our health information ends up during our lifetime, the issue persists even after our demise. With our increasing digital health data footprint, clear regulations must be set up so that individuals are aware of the options. This also enables them to make informed decisions regarding their medical data after their death. As \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2019\u002F5\u002F28\u002F18642621\u002Fmedical-records-donate-science-digital-data-health-body-death\" target=\"_blank\">Edina Harbinja puts it\u003C\u002Fa>: “We should be able to choose how we dispose of our digital self.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":60,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>How familiar are you with your digital health data footprint? Do you even know what kind of health data is generated about you and where it is stored? And what happens with this ever-growing pile of information after you die? Who owns this data and who can get access to it? Why could this even be interesting and for whom? We have dived into the mainly overlooked area of posthumous medical data and almost got lost. Here are our findings but just a heads up: it’s messy and complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,24430,"closed","","standard",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,69,70,5],504,511,521,[72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87],1435,227,1436,246,275,425,1153,1221,1222,686,1286,687,1433,688,1434,196,[89,90,91,92],947,951,952,953,[],[95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106],2933,3825,1571,3829,1617,1681,1693,1723,1795,1975,2919,2923,[108,53,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121,122,123,124,125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,137],"post-24423","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artificial-intelligence","category-bioethics","category-future-medicine","category-security-privacy","tag-electronic-medical-records","tag-emr","tag-electronic-health-records","tag-future","tag-healthcare","tag-technology-2","tag-electronic","tag-ehr","tag-medical-records","tag-health-data","tag-medical-data","tag-data-privacy","tag-privacy","tag-data-security","tag-health-records","tag-data-2","project_category-company","project_category-patients","project_category-policy-makers","project_category-researchers",{"id":62,"alt_text":139,"caption":140,"description":141,"media_type":142,"media_details":143,"post":44,"source_url":188},"medical data after death","What happens to your medical data after you die?","Do you know what kind of health data is generated about you and where it is stored? And what happens with this of information after you die?","image",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":146,"sizes":147,"image_meta":185},1920,1080,"2019\u002F07\u002Fhealth_data.png",{"medium":148,"large":154,"thumbnail":159,"medium_large":163,"1536x1536":164,"large_old_512x288":169,"thumbnail_old_150x150":174,"medium_old_370x208":176,"medium_large_old_768x432":179,"large_old_512x288_old_512x288":182},{"file":149,"width":150,"height":151,"mime-type":152,"source_url":153},"health_data-370x208.png",370,208,"image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002Fhealth_data-370x208.png",{"file":155,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":152,"source_url":158},"health_data-768x432.png",768,432,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002Fhealth_data-768x432.png",{"file":160,"width":161,"height":161,"mime-type":152,"source_url":162},"health_data-150x150.png",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002Fhealth_data-150x150.png",{"file":155,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":152,"source_url":158},{"file":165,"width":166,"height":167,"mime-type":152,"source_url":168},"health_data-1536x864.png",1536,864,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002Fhealth_data-1536x864.png",{"file":170,"width":171,"height":172,"mime-type":152,"source_url":173},"health_data-512x288.png",512,288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002Fhealth_data-512x288.png",{"file":160,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":162},"150",{"file":149,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":153},"370","208",{"file":155,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":158},"768","432",{"file":170,"width":183,"height":184,"mime-type":152,"source_url":173},"512","288",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186,"keywords":187},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F07\u002Fhealth_data.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":190,"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":195,"key_takeaways":198},[191,192,193],23938,13003,13229,"subscribe",[196,197],30419,31417,[199,201],{"title":200},"\u003Cp>What happens to our social media channels and data online when we die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":202},"\u003Cp>This article analyzes the special case of our health and medical data being stored in hospitals, at home and at the companies we have purchased technologies and services from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":204,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":205,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":54},"What Happens To Your Medical Data After You Die? - The Medical Futurist","The Medical Futurist dived into the area of posthumous medical data. Here are our findings but just a heads up: it’s messy and complicated.",{"self":207,"collection":212,"about":215,"author":218,"replies":221,"version-history":224,"predecessor-version":228,"wp:featuredmedia":232,"wp:attachment":235,"wp:term":238,"curies":253},[208],{"href":209,"targetHints":210},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F24423",{"allow":211},[27],[213],{"href":214},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[216],{"href":217},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[219],{"embeddable":41,"href":220},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[222],{"embeddable":41,"href":223},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=24423",[225],{"count":226,"href":227},26,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F24423\u002Frevisions",[229],{"id":230,"href":231},60949,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F24423\u002Frevisions\u002F60949",[233],{"embeddable":41,"href":234},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F24430",[236],{"href":237},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=24423",[239,241,244,247,250],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":240},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=24423",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":243},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=24423",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":246},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=24423",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":249},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=24423",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":252},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=24423",[254],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":256,"date":257,"date_gmt":258,"guid":259,"modified":261,"modified_gmt":262,"slug":263,"status":52,"type":53,"link":264,"title":265,"content":267,"excerpt":269,"author":61,"featured_media":271,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":272,"categories":273,"tags":277,"project_category":288,"contact_email_category":289,"yst_prominent_words":290,"class_list":299,"better_featured_image":315,"acf":338,"yoast_meta":352,"_links":355},43409,"2026-01-20T15:46:04","2026-01-20T14:46:04",{"rendered":260},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=43409&_wpnonce=ef79d0c80c&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-20T15:46:09","2026-01-20T14:46:09","ten-super-creepy-technologies-in-medicine","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ften-super-creepy-technologies-in-medicine",{"rendered":266},"The Top 10 Super-Creepy Medical Technologies",{"rendered":268,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>We are all for new technologies here, spending our days researching where the science of medicine goes. With that said, every now and then, we see something so creepy that it freaks out even the seasoned team of The Medical Futurist. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So here we collected ten examples of either super creepy medical technologies or ingeniously evil uses of perfectly innocent technologies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The blood-drawing robots\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>First, this \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">doesn’t really sound creepy\u003C\u002Fa>. Drawing blood might not be our favourite thing, but nothing of a terror for most of us either. Vein scanners have been around for a while, actually being a useful little tool to make sure you find good veins with sufficient blood flow. Robots are around hospitals, and the pandemic accelerated their deployment.\u003Cbr>However, when you \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnet.com\u002Fscience\u002Fthis-robot-is-excellent-at-drawing-human-blood\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">put this all together\u003C\u002Fa>, and the thing looks like this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Need to draw blood? A robot in China can help you\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FezZXXX39hX0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even we have to admit, this is flat-out creepy. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Virtually reuniting with our deceased loved ones\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You probably have heard about this Korean project in which a young mother was able to meet with her deceased daughter in virtual reality. This video is heartbreaking and very disturbing at the same time, raising a number of ethical and emotional questions. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Of course, as many have pointed out, this mother has chosen to participate in this venture; she was not forced to do that. And however upsetting it is, one Korean commenter of the video helped everyone to understand the context of Hyeon-mong – a final farewell. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Virtual reality "reunites" mother with dead daughter in South Korean doc\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F0p8HZVCZSkc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“This means a special dream. After a person dies, the soul stands trial (…) and after the trial, [the] dead one can appear in the dream of a living family. When people lose a precious person, [they believe that with dreaming about the loved one] that precious one would have gone to heaven through that dream.  But there is one contradiction in the Korean traditional religion. The soul of a child under 10 is not to be tried. Because a child’s soul is immediately led to “Western sky-flower garden” (…) So the mother who lost her child can not dream and say goodbye. This project was carried out to reduce such grief.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good morning, time to wake up with electroshock!\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Are you a morning kind of person? Good for you! Are you having difficulties with the mornings? Is the Snooze button your best friend? Do you have regular troubles with sleeping in? We have good news for you! \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For only a moderate amount of money, you can buy your own electroshocking watch that will make sure you get out of bed faster than ever before. And like any good Pavlovian dog, it promises to train your brain in no time. As far as I understand, the method is pretty straightforward. You do what your watch tells you to do (jumping jacks, 5 seconds after waking up, anyone?), or you get shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shock Clock 2 - The World's Smartest Alarm Clock\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fjqju6X2hgVw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The marketing material is not short of grand promises, but frankly, I just don’t get it. Unless you have narcolepsy or a similar problem, you either wanna get up in time, so you don’t lose your job, for example, or you don’t care. If you care, you just get up. If you don’t care, why would you put on that freaking shocking watch in the first place? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The microchip implanted under your skin\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frfid-implant-chip\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Human RFID implants have actually been around for a while\u003C\u002Fa>, and you can use them for a number of things. (We mean, you can choose to use them FROM a number of things, but are not yet able to do all of these at once). So with a rice-sized implant in your hand, you can open your car, your door, you can just use your hand for contactless payment in the shop, or store your vaccination pass there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Should You Get An RFID Implant? \u002F Episode 2 - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FGs0bVs8QuWE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Robot nanny for growing babies in artificial wombs\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Scientists in China have created a robotic artificial intelligence system to monitor and care for human embryos growing in artificial wombs. The AI robot is being developed as a potential solution to population growth problems in the world’s most populous country, with birth rates recently falling to their lowest level in six decades.” – \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.independent.co.uk\u002Ftech\u002Frobot-nanny-china-population-b2004342.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">you can read in the Independent\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002Fartificial-womb-1-768x329.jpg\" alt=\"artificial womb\" class=\"wp-image-44509\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002Fartificial-womb-1-768x329.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002Fartificial-womb-1.jpg 1482w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to the paper, the system allows the foetus to grow more safely and efficiently than it does within the natural setting of a woman’s womb. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Seriously, what is wrong with these people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Falling in love with an A.I. girlfriend\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here is a story of a man \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.sky.com\u002Fstory\u002Fi-fell-in-love-with-my-ai-girlfriend-and-it-saved-my-marriage-12548082?fbclid=IwAR2NfbHTMhq5X83E5uxHGoBhhPcLn5ZsBBM4GEdioXjLldHDlsrN1pxcJGg\" target=\"_blank\">who claims to be falling in love with his A.I. chatbot girlfriend\u003C\u002Fa>. He even says that the newfound love actually saved his existing marriage. Please, don’t misunderstand me, I fully believe that life must have been extremely difficult with a severely depressed wife with heavy drinking problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FReplica-always-here-to-listen-cover-768x403.png\" alt=\"AI girlfriend artificial intelligence chatbot companion\" class=\"wp-image-43427\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FReplica-always-here-to-listen-cover-768x403.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FReplica-always-here-to-listen-cover.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But still, there is something very uncanny about reading about a two-day-old virtual relationship blossoming into love, especially, witnessing the depth of the conversation Sarina, the A.I. girlfriend, is able to provide. While psychologists agree that non-judgemental acceptance is the best way to open up fully and present ourselves with our weaknesses, hundreds of thousands of people reporting the use of the app’s \u003Cem>romantic \u003C\u002Fem>setting to form ‘personal’ relationships is worrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Designer babies and toying with CRISPR technology\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A Chinese scientist shocked the scientific community in 2018 with the announcement that he tried to bestow two baby girls the ability to resist possible future infections with HIV. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gene editing technologies grant scientists the power to add, alter or remove parts of any creature’s DNA. Well, unicorns or dragons may be out of the question, but mosquitos’ or even Christmas trees’ tiniest building blocks may be the subject of such scientific meddling. While numerous approaches emerged to gene editing, one of the most well-known is CRISPR. It is the fastest, cheapest and most efficient method developed so far. You can \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdesigner-babies-a-dystopian-sidetrack-of-gene-editing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">read about the topic in detail here\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"behavioral genetics\" class=\"wp-image-23297\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FGenes-and-crimes-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While gene editing and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcrispr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CRISPR technology\u003C\u002Fa> hold great promises, the ethical implications are paramount. In opening Pandora’s box (it is clear humanity is doing that), what horrors are we inviting upon us? Are we placing babies in the hands of future parents as toys in the arms of Gods? What happens if the more affluent layers of society edit their genes into long and healthy lives while the poorer groups stand in line for medication? Will gene technologies give a new direction to inequality? What if governments with authoritarian inclinations start using it for shaping society?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advertising is infiltrating our dreams\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Last year, in a discreet building in downtown Los Angeles, 18 subjects were instructed to watch a strange video featuring a synth-laden soundtrack and natural imagery interspersed with glimpses of Coors Light beer cans. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthehustle.co\u002Fare-advertisers-going-to-infiltrate-our-dreams\u002F?fbclid=IwAR0S2JezIevhiXli7KzTBxLmC4ZBZseHf0knd8d3OruRS0q83jKOn_5FH0Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Coors’ stated goal was science-fiction worthy\u003C\u002Fa>: the company wanted to “shape and compel [the] subconscious” into dreaming about beer. Shockingly, it seemed to work. Around 30% of the participants reported that Coors products made an appearance in their dreams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Finfiltrating-dreams-1-768x383.jpg\" alt=\"Advertizers infiltrating dreams\" class=\"wp-image-43431\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Finfiltrating-dreams-1-768x383.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Finfiltrating-dreams-1.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Are advertisers going to infiltrate our dreams? It’s a simple question to answer. If we decide to use technologies while sleeping, they will, and I’ve already seen prototypes of wearable devices that are meant to induce better quality sleep. How unnerving is the thought of even our dreams being robbed from us and becoming a marketing channel? Please, companies, stay out of our heads!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News about your terminal illness arriving on wheels and on a screen\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ernest Quintana, 78, an inpatient of a California medical centre was living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for years. Although his family knew that he would die soon, they were not prepared to see\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F10\u002Fhealth\u002Fpatient-dies-robot-doctor\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a machine rolling into his room\u003C\u002Fa> and a doctor, appearing via live video, explaining that according to the latest results of the medical tests, there is nothing they can do, and he is not even sure if Ernest will be able to make it home to receive hospice care. The on-screen doctor was accompanied by an in-person nurse, standing silently during the interlude – his granddaughter, who witnessed the scene, explained. The man died the following day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"582\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002FScreen-Shot-01-20-26-at-03.43-PM-1-768x582.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60185\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002FScreen-Shot-01-20-26-at-03.43-PM-1-768x582.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F05\u002FScreen-Shot-01-20-26-at-03.43-PM-1.png 1531w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The use of this kind of technology for a small hospital is logical: it allows them to have additional specialists available 24\u002F7, bringing further consultative expertise to the bedside. But a situation like this should never have happened to anyone, every medical technology must remain humane in the first place, and questions of efficiency must only follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding your X-ray on sale for 2 thousand pounds as an NFT  – created by your doctor without your consent\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A senior surgeon at a Paris hospital put the image of a woman’s forearm with a Kalashnikov bullet lodged near the bone up for sale online as an NFT without the patient’s knowledge. And not only did he offer the NFT for a little over 2 thousand pounds, but he also published many details about the injury, making it possible to identify the victim, a survivor of the 2015 Bataclan massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Consequences followed the case, the doctor faced legal actions, the hospital apologised, and the media \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fworld-europe-60124931?fbclid=IwAR1eAPuDE5Mhx8fhmyGKlIL7Ple2nTdAWxZ20haM3ngTfcQuDRA_nklbnNY\">chewed on the story\u003C\u002Fa> for a while. This is a grand example of how the most innocent of technologies – an X-ray image and hyped NFT tokens – can turn into something shockingly immoral in the hands of someone without ethical standards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":270,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Every now and then we see something that freaks out even the seasoned team of The Medical Futurist. From robot nannies taking care of human babies grown in artificial wombs to waking up with an electric shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",43429,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[274,69,275,171,276,5],7079,506,515,[278,279,280,281,282,283,284,285,286,287],445,1499,7563,555,645,674,134,215,904,407,[90],[],[291,292,102,293,294,295,296,297,298],1593,1719,1851,2017,2613,3357,4469,5085,[300,53,109,110,111,112,113,301,115,302,303,304,117,305,306,307,308,309,310,311,312,313,314,135],"post-43409","category-tmf","category-cyborgization","category-robotics","category-science-fiction","tag-virtual-reality","tag-medical-robot","tag-creepy-technologies","tag-blood-draw","tag-sleep-tracking","tag-artificial-womb","tag-ai","tag-dream","tag-gene-editing","tag-smartwatch",{"id":271,"alt_text":316,"caption":64,"description":317,"media_type":142,"media_details":318,"post":256,"source_url":337},"creepy blood drawing robot","blood drawing robot",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":319,"sizes":320,"image_meta":336},"2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest.png",{"medium":321,"large":324,"thumbnail":327,"medium_large":330,"1536x1536":331},{"file":322,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":323},"creepiest-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-370x208.png",{"file":325,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":326},"creepiest-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-768x432.png",{"file":328,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":329},"creepiest-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-150x150.png",{"file":325,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":326},{"file":332,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":335},"creepiest-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fcreepiest.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":339,"related_posts_footer":343,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":347},[340,341,342],24762,24763,24759,[344,345,346],11923,21023,17240,[348,350],{"title":349},"\u003Cp>Some health technologies are simply too much to handle, or even outright weird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":351},"\u003Cp>Here we collected ten examples of either super creepy medical technologies or ingeniously evil uses of perfectly innocent technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":353,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":354,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":264},"The Top 10 Super-Creepy Medical Technologies - The Medical Futurist","We are not an easy team to shock, but every now and then we see something so creepy, that it freaks out even the seasoned team of The Medical Futurist. ",{"self":356,"collection":361,"about":363,"author":365,"replies":367,"version-history":370,"predecessor-version":374,"wp:featuredmedia":378,"wp:attachment":381,"wp:term":384,"curies":395},[357],{"href":358,"targetHints":359},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F43409",{"allow":360},[27],[362],{"href":214},[364],{"href":217},[366],{"embeddable":41,"href":220},[368],{"embeddable":41,"href":369},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=43409",[371],{"count":372,"href":373},23,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F43409\u002Frevisions",[375],{"id":376,"href":377},60195,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F43409\u002Frevisions\u002F60195",[379],{"embeddable":41,"href":380},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F43429",[382],{"href":383},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=43409",[385,387,389,391,393],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":386},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=43409",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":388},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=43409",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":390},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=43409",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":392},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=43409",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":394},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=43409",[396],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":398,"date":399,"date_gmt":400,"guid":401,"modified":403,"modified_gmt":404,"slug":405,"status":52,"type":53,"link":406,"title":407,"content":409,"excerpt":411,"author":413,"featured_media":414,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":415,"categories":416,"tags":419,"project_category":420,"contact_email_category":421,"yst_prominent_words":422,"class_list":425,"better_featured_image":429,"acf":452,"yoast_meta":460,"_links":462},59793,"2025-12-18T10:00:00","2025-12-18T09:00:00",{"rendered":402},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=59793&_wpnonce=a5782ca28a&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-12-18T11:04:03","2025-12-18T10:04:03","is-it-time-to-equip-our-toilets-with-health-sensors","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fis-it-time-to-equip-our-toilets-with-health-sensors",{"rendered":408},"Is It Time To Equip Our Toilets With Health Sensors?",{"rendered":410,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>The concept of a smart toilet might, at first, sound like a fad; a technological solution trying to find a problem to solve. But, on second thought, it might not be such a bad idea. Bodily fluids that are literally flushed out can provide health insights in a non-invasive way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is why there are several digital health companies focusing on sensor-laden toilets or attachments that analyse what lands in a toilet bowl. We take a peek at this emerging digital health trend in this article.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What are smart toilets?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As with anything coming from the tech industry these days, the ‘smart’ prefix in ‘smart toilets’ refers to digitally enhanced versions of the trusty sanitation hardware. There are two ways that companies generally take to make smart toilets. They either make the whole hardware that needs to be installed in a bathroom, or they make toilet attachments that you can attach to existing “dumb” toilets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2025-11-28\u002Fkohler-and-toto-are-betting-on-smart-toilets-as-the-future-of-health-tech\">the fascination of biohackers\u003C\u002Fa>, the analysis of what comes out of the body has now become more mainstream. Companies have released products in this category, hoping that they will be adopted as much as other health trackers are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Health Sensor In Our Toilet? With A Camera??\" width=\"540\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FAhT5LX__-4Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are different types of sensors that smart toilets and toilet attachments can pack. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kohlerhealth.com\u002Fdekoda\u002F\">Kohler Health’s Dekoda\u003C\u002Fa> attachment includes a camera that takes pictures of inside the toilet bowl for analysis. Withings’ \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.withings.com\u002Feu\u002Fen\u002Fu-scan\">U-Scan line of products\u003C\u002Fa> collects and analyses urine \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.prnewswire.com\u002Fnews-releases\u002Fwithings-u-scan-brings-urine-analysis-into-the-home-302597379.html\">via thermal sensors\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For its part, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.notebookcheck.net\u002FVovo-Neo-smart-toilet-monitors-health-usage-and-safety.1183171.0.html\">Vovo’s Neo smart toilet\u003C\u002Fa> is a new hardware that not only includes a urine analysis sensor, but also features a heated seat, a self-cleaning heated-water bidet, and automatically deodorises the air. Toto’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.totousa.com\u002Fneorest\">Norest line\u003C\u002Fa> includes smart toilets \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2025-11-28\u002Fkohler-and-toto-are-betting-on-smart-toilets-as-the-future-of-health-tech\">with dedicated optical sensors\u003C\u002Fa> to analyse stool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This range of products highlights the nascent aspect of the smart toilet category, and we are likely to see more experimentation in the coming years. Companies are exploring this field of health as they believe that the biodata that we flush down the drain every day can improve one’s health or even save lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The data that we flush out\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s true that what comes out of the body might be as important as what goes in. Urine and stool analyses are common clinical tests to assess the functioning of one’s internal organs. With smart toilet technology, companies are bringing such analyses to the masses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Anish Sheth, chief of gastroenterology at Penn Medicine Princeton Health and co-author of \u003Cem>What’s Your Poo Telling You?\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2025-11-28\u002Fkohler-and-toto-are-betting-on-smart-toilets-as-the-future-of-health-tech\">told Bloomberg that\u003C\u002Fa> smart toilets can help detect problematic bowel movements before they deteriorate. “We can intervene sooner, manage it quicker, prevent days off from work or school or hospitalisation,” he says.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2013\u002F09\u002F130905085919.htm\">over 3,000 detectable metabolites\u003C\u002Fa>, urine is also a treasure trove of information. It can reflect aspects of a person’s nutrition, hydration, hormonal balance, and metabolism. Withings’ U-Scan devices leverage this information to provide owners with visibility into their nutritional state and kidney health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"[EN] U-Scan — Hands-free urine-lab\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fmwued-fQG0w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is value in such insights for people with gastrointestinal (GI) and kidney diseases or those at risk of them. A device like the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.withings.com\u002Feu\u002Fen\u002Fu-scan-calci\">Withings U-Scan Calci\u003C\u002Fa> can help one keep track of their calcium levels and their risk of kidney stone formation. Others, like the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kohlerhealth.com\u002Fdekoda\u002F\">Dekoda\u003C\u002Fa> can detect the presence of blood in the toilet bowl, which could be indicative of underlying GI issues. From such insights, people can make more informed choices and take preventative measures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>US-based Toi Labs has developed the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftrueloo.online\u002F\">TrueLoo\u003C\u002Fa>, a smart toilet seat to monitor seniors’ health. They are focusing their efforts on hospitals and assisted-living facilities. “It all comes down to education,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2025-11-28\u002Fkohler-and-toto-are-betting-on-smart-toilets-as-the-future-of-health-tech\">said founder Vik Kashyap\u003C\u002Fa>. “When people realize the technology can save lives, particularly in high-risk groups such as older adults, the ick factor goes away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Dr Sheth \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2025-11-28\u002Fkohler-and-toto-are-betting-on-smart-toilets-as-the-future-of-health-tech\">also sees\u003C\u002Fa> the data from smart toilet technologies to provide a baseline for the average healthy person for correlation against their diet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Is it time for a digital health upgrade of our toilets?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the future, smart toilets could even act as an early warning system. In 2025, researchers in South Korea \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.news-medical.net\u002Fnews\u002F20250123\u002FNew-diagnostic-device-could-enable-at-home-early-bladder-cancer-detection.aspx\">developed a diagnostic device\u003C\u002Fa> that could enable at-home early bladder cancer detection. Their system identifies a biomarker associated with bladder cancer from urine samples and was found to be able to do so accurately. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Their solution could be used as a non-invasive way to identify early bladder cancer and avoid complications. Similar approaches \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2025-11-28\u002Fkohler-and-toto-are-betting-on-smart-toilets-as-the-future-of-health-tech\">could be used to\u003C\u002Fa> help diagnose ovulation, menopause, pelvic floor dysfunction, or even screen for alcohol and illicit drugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fsmart-toilet-technology-768x521.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59799\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fsmart-toilet-technology-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fsmart-toilet-technology.jpg 1367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.bloomberg.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>We might be in for a real evolution of the toilet as we know it. However, diving into our expelled fluids comes with new sets of privacy concerns. These have \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2025-11-28\u002Fkohler-and-toto-are-betting-on-smart-toilets-as-the-future-of-health-tech\">reportedly deterred investors\u003C\u002Fa> who wonder if the market is socially mature for such sanitary upgrades. This newfound trove of personal health data could be subject to hacks or be mishandled by the companies overseeing that data. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There was \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F03\u002Fend-to-end-encrypted-smart-toilet-camera-is-not-actually-end-to-end-encrypted\u002F\">a recent controversy\u003C\u002Fa> over Kohler’s Dekoda toilet attachment. Its initial claim of end-to-end data encryption was somewhat misleading. There were also concerns that the company is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F03\u002Fend-to-end-encrypted-smart-toilet-camera-is-not-actually-end-to-end-encrypted\u002F\">using customers’ bowl pictures\u003C\u002Fa> taken by Dekoda to train AI. Kohler clarified that their “algorithms are trained on de-identified data only”, but other companies might not take a similar stance. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The adage of “there is no digital health without sacrificing some privacy” comes to mind here. The average healthy person might not necessarily need a smart toilet, but these devices can have real practical uses for specific segments of the population. However, their benefits should not come at the expense of uncontrolled data integrity. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":412,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The concept of a smart toilet might, at first, sound like a fad; a technological solution trying to find a problem to solve. But, on […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,59825,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[274,70,417,418,5],496,489,[],[],[],[97,423,99,100,101,424],1613,3855,[426,53,109,110,111,112,113,301,116,427,428,117],"post-59793","category-health-sensors-trackers","category-personalized-medicine",{"id":414,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":142,"media_details":430,"post":398,"source_url":451},{"width":431,"height":432,"file":433,"filesize":434,"sizes":435,"image_meta":449},1500,844,"2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__.png",89337,{"medium":436,"large":440,"thumbnail":444,"medium_large":448},{"file":437,"width":150,"height":151,"mime-type":152,"filesize":438,"source_url":439},"tmf_article__-370x208.png",6061,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__-370x208.png",{"file":441,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":152,"filesize":442,"source_url":443},"tmf_article__-768x432.png",13688,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__-768x432.png",{"file":445,"width":161,"height":161,"mime-type":152,"filesize":446,"source_url":447},"tmf_article__-150x150.png",3743,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__-150x150.png",{"file":441,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":152,"filesize":442,"source_url":443},{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186,"keywords":450},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article__.png",{"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":453,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[454,456,458],{"title":455},"\u003Cp>Smart toilets might sound like a technological solution trying to find a problem to solve, but they can provide practical benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":457},"\u003Cp>The technology behind smart toilets can provide people with greater visibility into the health of their internal organs and help them make informed decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":459},"\u003Cp>This emerging trend might be apt for specific segments of the population, but it does raise newfound concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":461,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":406},"Is It Time To Equip Our Toilets With Health Sensors? - The Medical Futurist",{"self":463,"collection":468,"about":470,"author":472,"replies":475,"version-history":478,"predecessor-version":482,"wp:featuredmedia":486,"wp:attachment":489,"wp:term":492,"curies":503},[464],{"href":465,"targetHints":466},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59793",{"allow":467},[27],[469],{"href":214},[471],{"href":217},[473],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[476],{"embeddable":41,"href":477},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=59793",[479],{"count":480,"href":481},1,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59793\u002Frevisions",[483],{"id":484,"href":485},59801,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59793\u002Frevisions\u002F59801",[487],{"embeddable":41,"href":488},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F59825",[490],{"href":491},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=59793",[493,495,497,499,501],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":494},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=59793",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":496},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=59793",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":498},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=59793",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":500},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=59793",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":502},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=59793",[504],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":506,"date":507,"date_gmt":508,"guid":509,"modified":511,"modified_gmt":512,"slug":513,"status":52,"type":53,"link":514,"title":515,"content":517,"excerpt":519,"author":413,"featured_media":521,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":522,"categories":523,"tags":527,"project_category":528,"contact_email_category":529,"yst_prominent_words":530,"class_list":534,"better_featured_image":539,"acf":568,"yoast_meta":576,"_links":578},59685,"2025-12-12T10:00:00","2025-12-12T09:00:00",{"rendered":510},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=59685&_wpnonce=d62e37b5ad&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-12-11T13:47:40","2025-12-11T12:47:40","smart-glasses-in-healthcare-the-current-state-and-future-potentials","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsmart-glasses-in-healthcare-the-current-state-and-future-potentials",{"rendered":516},"Smart Glasses In Healthcare: The Current State And Future Potentials",{"rendered":518,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>According to recent reports, Meta \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002Fcvgk9rqx5kjo\">is winding down\u003C\u002Fa> its metaverse investments in favour of AI glasses and wearables. Despite the lack of popularity of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare\u002F\">the metaverse\u003C\u002Fa>, it is a somewhat surprising move for Meta. After all, it is the company that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\">changed its name\u003C\u002Fa> to emphasise its commitment to the concept of a universe of interconnected virtual worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nowadays, Meta seems to be more popular as the maker of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.meta.com\u002Fai-glasses\u002F\">Ray-Ban-branded AI-enabled smart glasses\u003C\u002Fa>. However, Meta is far from the only company in this space, and it was far from being the first either. Smaller companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbrilliant.xyz\u002F\">Brilliant Labs\u003C\u002Fa> have a few generations of such products, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Ftwo-visions-for-smart-glasses\">bigger players like Google and Apple\u003C\u002Fa> are reportedly planning to launch competing models. In other words, the race is officially on to put computers on our faces, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Ftwo-visions-for-smart-glasses\">analysts expect\u003C\u002Fa> a massive growth in this market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With real momentum behind such hardware, it will only be a matter of time before these devices are applied to healthcare settings, if they haven’t already. But will smart glasses in healthcare become meaningful tools, or will they become yet another gimmicky tech? We decided to investigate, with insights from Brilliant Lab’s CEO, Bobak Tavangar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What are AI-enabled smart glasses?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s worth making the difference with other \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\">smart head-worn devices\u003C\u002Fa> here. In particular, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets share similar features to smartglasses, but pack more advanced technology and are typically bulkier. Smartglasses can be somewhat considered as very simplified versions of these headsets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59007\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F08\u002F0323_vrarxr_infographic-v3.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Meta might have popularised AI-enabled smart glasses in recent years, but such devices existed well before the company’s foray into this space. They were marketed to consumers towards the late 2010s by small companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsolosglasses.com\u002F\">Solos\u003C\u002Fa>, and would simply be termed as “smart glasses” or “audio glasses”. This is because they would look like regular glasses with tiny speakers in each temple, without any display or camera. They would allow users to take calls, listen to music or query a voice assistant like Siri or Google Assistant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the early 2020s, companies started to experiment with integrating displays and cameras in such glasses. Some, like the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.xreal.com\u002F\">XREAL glasses\u003C\u002Fa> would operate with a smartphone connection, while others, like the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inmoxr.com\u002Fpages\u002Fabout-us\">INMO glasses,\u003C\u002Fa> would work independently. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During that time, one startup took an unusual approach. Brilliant Lab’s first smart glasses, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.brilliant.xyz\u002Fmonocle\u002Fmonocle\u002F\">Monocle\u003C\u002Fa>, was an open-source, developer-focused device that could attach to your current glasses. It was among the first to bear the moniker of “AI glasses”. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“So we really saw this opportunity not just to make a beautiful thing that’s priced well, but to do a device that harnesses artificial intelligence to amplify your latent powers of mind and speech and understanding,” Bobak Tavangar, CEO of Brilliant Labs, told us. “Because something like glasses is something that many of us wear all day, every day. And if AI can do that for you, you all of a sudden become a super version of yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company will soon release its third product, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbrilliant.xyz\u002Fproducts\u002Fhalo\">the Halo glasses\u003C\u002Fa>, and it shares similarities with other devices in the market. It seems like, currently, the more common features of smart glasses include embedded displays, a front-facing camera, a microphone, and integrated speakers. Most of these devices come with a companion smartphone app that supports AI interactions. This array of technologies has its practical healthcare uses but also raises some concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Current practical uses of smartglasses in healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Smartglasses might sound like a pricey end-of-year gift for the tech-savvy person in your life, but they have practical healthcare uses. So far, the biggest beneficial use case has been accessibility for those with vision and hearing impairment. Glasses are typically used to aid in vision correction, but with additional sensors, they bring other layers of accessibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fglobal.rokid.com\u002Fpages\u002Frokid-glasses\">Rokid Glasses\u003C\u002Fa>, for example, can address farsightedness by making small prints more legible on the glasses’ own display with an adjustable font size. The same device can provide \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techlicious.com\u002Fblog\u002Frokid-smart-glasses-promise-accessibility-breakthroughs\u002F\">real-time closed captions\u003C\u002Fa> by transcribing what a speaker is saying and displaying it on the screen. This can be beneficial for people with diminished hearing and even help with translation. This indicates an exciting future where smartglasses could pack a hearing aid feature, akin to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fturn-your-airpods-pro-2-into-hearing-aids-testing-and-tracking-hearing-health-in-ios-18-1\u002F\">the AirPods Pro 2\u003C\u002Fa>, making such accessories feel more seamless and less stigmatised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In fact, companies and researchers are investigating such versions of smartglasses. Nuance Audio markets its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nuanceaudio.com\u002Fen-us\">Nuance Audio glasses\u003C\u002Fa> as an “invisible hearing aid solution”. The frame features an array of six microphones to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-tried-smart-glasses-with-built-in-hearing-aids-and-they-worked-surprisingly-well-at-ces\u002F\">capture sound and amplify it\u003C\u002Fa> via the integrated speakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Introducing Nuance Audio Glasses\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F5ofHKviDuGA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Researchers in Scotland \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.androidpolice.com\u002Fhow-smartglasses-with-ai-could-give-hearing-aids-superpowers\u002F\">have developed\u003C\u002Fa> a pair of smartglasses that uses an embedded camera to track a speaker’s lip movements, apply lip-reading technology and AI removal of background noise to enhance hearing. Project lead Professor Mathini Sellathurai c\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.androidpolice.com\u002Fhow-smartglasses-with-ai-could-give-hearing-aids-superpowers\u002F\">onsiders these glasses\u003C\u002Fa> as providing hearing aids with superpowers, and expects a working prototype to be available in 2026.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such meaningful use cases for smart glasses gave Brilliant Labs the conviction to go the open source route for their devices. “Regardless of whether you’re hard of hearing or hard of seeing, there is a sensor for you; that’s why it’s open,” Bobak Tavangar told us. “There’s a lot of software developers out there building for these communities who can hook into our platform and deliver an experience for them.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Future potential uses of smartglasses in healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Improving accessibility seems to be the most immediate impact of smartglasses in healthcare, but they hold more potential down the line. While current smartglasses can be considered as simplified AR devices, they might replace these bulkier counterparts as technology progresses. AR and MR devices are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F6-healthcare-examples-of-virtual-augmented-and-mixed-reality\">already in use\u003C\u002Fa> for medical training and anxiety disorders, but having more compact tools like smartglasses would be more convenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Google Glass, Google’s failed attempt at consumer-oriented smartglasses from 2012, even found a brief home \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ucsf.edu\u002Fnews\u002F2013\u002F10\u002F109526\u002Fgoogle-glass-delivers-new-insight-during-surgery\">in surgical uses\u003C\u002Fa>. Other companies are taking it where it left off. For instance, Snke OS GmbH recently \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fsnke-unveils-snkexr-medical-ar-glasses-healthcare\">revealed the SnkeXR\u003C\u002Fa>, an open platform AR glasses dedicated to healthcare uses. It is packed with a range of clinically-oriented features such as a built-in surgical tracker and stereoscopic loupe magnification. These make its use cases wide-ranging, from clinical training to remote assistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Snke Unveils SnkeXR, the First Medical Grade, Open Platform AR Glasses for Healthcare\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FPbLrUHeBOng?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is even the possibility for smart glasses to become healthcare companions. The second generation of smart glasses from Even Realities provides such an indication. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.evenrealities.com\u002Fsmart-glasses\">Even Realities G2\u003C\u002Fa> can be paired with the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.evenrealities.com\u002Fsmart-ring\">Even Realities R1\u003C\u002Fa>, a smart ring that can monitor health metrics such as heart rate, temperature and steps. These readings can be mirrored to the glasses’ display, without the need to look at your phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Brilliant Labs’ CEO thinks that smart glasses can have a more proactive role in healthcare in the future. Aside from eye health, sensors directed at the retina could work like an early warning detection system for the rest of the body, he told us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>An eye on the new concerns\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After over a decade of trying to find a sure footing, consumer-grade smartglasses appear to be ready for adoption, even within healthcare. However, the new tool presents new challenges, especially in relation to privacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As smartglasses increasingly adopt front-facing cameras, the issue of privacy is paramount. Products from data-hungry and ad-supported companies like Meta and Google can represent a privacy nightmare. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Brilliant Labs’ Bobak Tavangar believes that we need to provide AI with “eyes” to fulfil the technology’s potential. As such, his company sees cameras as a necessity for AI-enabled smartglasses. “The reason is that it needs to mimic your biological sensors,” he explains. “Not only hearing what you hear, but it needs to see what you see.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The open-source nature of their devices makes them more privacy-focused than their big tech competitors, as Brilliant Labs’ system is explainable and modifiable. The rich data captured by their glasses is sent to your phone only for AI inference, not for social media captures or storage. After an AI model does inference, that data is tossed away and not stored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“We’re not making money by mining your eyeballs and selling them to the highest paying advertiser,” Tavangar adds. “We think about both open source and privacy as two really interlocking elements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Still, other competitors in this space have a different approach to AI glasses. Models from companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.evenrealities.com\u002Fsmart-glasses\">Even Realities\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftech.yahoo.com\u002Fgeneral\u002Farticles\u002Fhalliday-fact-checking-smart-glasses-030050284.html\">Halliday\u003C\u002Fa> do not have a camera, specifically to prioritise privacy and make for a product that is more readily adopted. These glasses can mirror a phone’s notifications and rely on AI interactions, such as queries or note-taking, rather than for full-on content consumption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the diverging philosophies in terms of privacy, most of these devices are still \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgizmodo.com\u002Fmeta-ray-ban-display-repair-impossible-ifixit-2000677508\">practically impossible to repair\u003C\u002Fa>. Brilliant Labs’ glasses might be the exception, as the hardware is open source and can be fixed with 3D printed parts, but the competition offers pricey, fragile glasses. If they are damaged, your local optician might not be able to fix them, and they can become impediments, rather than accessibility devices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is definitely a place for smart glasses in healthcare, but their adoption should not come at the expense of privacy or accessibility. There is no perfect solution as of now, but with an expanding market and vibrant competition, we might see more healthcare-specific and privacy-focused options become available in the near future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":520,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>According to recent reports, Meta is winding down its metaverse investments in favour of AI glasses and wearables. Despite the lack of popularity of the […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",49459,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[274,68,524,417,525,5,526],493,499,514,[],[],[],[531,532,424,533],1683,1833,4295,[535,53,109,110,111,112,113,301,114,536,427,537,117,538],"post-59685","category-augmented-reality","category-healthcare-design","category-virtual-reality",{"id":521,"alt_text":540,"caption":64,"description":540,"media_type":142,"media_details":541,"post":566,"source_url":567},"tmf VR AR MR virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality, woman, headset, organ, heart",{"width":542,"height":543,"file":544,"filesize":545,"sizes":546,"image_meta":564},6667,3750,"2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01.png",1034404,{"medium":547,"large":551,"thumbnail":555,"medium_large":559,"1536x1536":560},{"file":548,"width":150,"height":151,"mime-type":152,"filesize":549,"source_url":550},"tmf_article_354-01-370x208.png",35128,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-370x208.png",{"file":552,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":152,"filesize":553,"source_url":554},"tmf_article_354-01-768x432.png",90942,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-768x432.png",{"file":556,"width":161,"height":161,"mime-type":152,"filesize":557,"source_url":558},"tmf_article_354-01-150x150.png",18566,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-150x150.png",{"file":552,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":152,"filesize":553,"source_url":554},{"file":561,"width":166,"height":167,"mime-type":152,"filesize":562,"source_url":563},"tmf_article_354-01-1536x864.png",224032,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186,"keywords":565},[],49447,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_354-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":569,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[570,572,574],{"title":571},"\u003Cp>The tech industry has been on a race to put computers on our faces, and the most successful attempt has been AI-enabled smart glasses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":573},"\u003Cp>With the momentum behind such hardware, it is only a matter of time before smart glasses are applied for healthcare uses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":575},"\u003Cp>There might be practical use cases for smart glasses in healthcare, but privacy concerns take a new dimension with such tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":577,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":514},"Smart Glasses In Healthcare: The Current State And Future Potentials - The Medical Futurist",{"self":579,"collection":584,"about":586,"author":588,"replies":590,"version-history":593,"predecessor-version":596,"wp:featuredmedia":600,"wp:attachment":603,"wp:term":606,"curies":617},[580],{"href":581,"targetHints":582},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59685",{"allow":583},[27],[585],{"href":214},[587],{"href":217},[589],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[591],{"embeddable":41,"href":592},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=59685",[594],{"count":480,"href":595},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59685\u002Frevisions",[597],{"id":598,"href":599},59691,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59685\u002Frevisions\u002F59691",[601],{"embeddable":41,"href":602},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F49459",[604],{"href":605},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=59685",[607,609,611,613,615],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":608},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=59685",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":610},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=59685",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":612},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=59685",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":614},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=59685",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":616},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=59685",[618],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":620,"date":621,"date_gmt":622,"guid":623,"modified":621,"modified_gmt":622,"slug":625,"status":52,"type":53,"link":626,"title":627,"content":629,"excerpt":631,"author":413,"featured_media":633,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":634,"categories":635,"tags":642,"project_category":655,"contact_email_category":658,"yst_prominent_words":659,"class_list":666,"better_featured_image":688,"acf":709,"yoast_meta":720,"_links":723},34265,"2025-09-22T12:15:22","2025-09-22T10:15:22",{"rendered":624},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=34265&_wpnonce=84d672628d&status=auto-draft&type=post","future-jobs-in-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-jobs-in-healthcare",{"rendered":628},"7 Futuristic Professions In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For",{"rendered":630,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>If you’re among the thousands of medical students worldwide or are about to pursue a degree in healthcare, it might have dawned on you that the field wouldn’t look the same by the time you get into clinical practice. With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-emergency-medicine-innovations-making-patients-point-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">drones delivering medical supplies\u003C\u002Fa>; an ever-increasing wealth of data from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-body-map-of-health-trackers-infographic\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">personal health sensors\u003C\u002Fa>; and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">patients turning to telemedicine\u003C\u002Fa>, the medical workplace will decidedly look different by then. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But you also regularly hear news like how algorithms are able to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-artificial-intelligence-companies-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">beat radiologists\u003C\u002Fa> to the punch when identifying cancerous lesions in medical images. These \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd41586-019-03847-z\" target=\"_blank\">can fuel fear\u003C\u002Fa> that such advanced technologies will put physicians out of their jobs. While the likes of artificial intelligence and robotics will indeed replace existing professions, it cannot be stressed enough that those same technologies will create new jobs. Consider how the automobile industry took over horse carriages in the early 20th century. Younger generations of horse carriage drivers did not lose their job \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnew-jobs-in-the-future-of-healthcare-medicine-i\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">by adapting to the prevalent changes\u003C\u002Fa>, and shifted to using cars in their businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, it’s more accurate to say that those who don’t adopt those disruptive digital health technologies will be replaced by those who do so. So let’s see 7 of those new professions that are practical enough that people going into their careers could start specialising towards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Deep learning expert: the algorithm trainer \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From handling repetitive administrative tasks to uncovering clinical associations invisible to the human eye, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-in-healthcare-insights-from-the-new-e-book\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">A.I.’s prowess in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa> is far-reaching. But paramount to employing competent algorithms is their efficient development. A.I. is all too often trained on medical data which are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-bias-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">fraught with inherent biases\u003C\u002Fa>; or developers use selected datasets \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbioethical-issues\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">not totally reflective of actual clinical environments\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is where a deep learning expert comes in: to ensure proper training of medical A.I. Whether it’s for an autonomous emergency drone to find the optimal path to reach its destination or for \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.siemens-healthineers.com\u002Fdigital-health-solutions\u002Fdigital-solutions-overview\u002Fclinical-decision-support\u002Fai-pathway-companion\" target=\"_blank\">devising treatment plans\u003C\u002Fa>, such an expert will be able to guide and supervise the development and deployment of effective and ethical algorithms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-768x432.png\" alt=\"A.I. in medicine\" class=\"wp-image-23751\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Lifestyle strategist: to guide patients with their health data\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The number of connected wearable devices worldwide is over one billion by now. Thanks to the democratised access to individual health data they provide, this adoption trend is set to perpetuate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For such adopters, a lifestyle strategist will guide them in navigating the load of data they constantly collect and devices they use from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffood-scanners\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">food scanners\u003C\u002Fa> through \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwe-used-3-devices-for-meditation-heres-what-we-found\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">meditation headbands\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwithings-scanwatch-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">ECG monitors\u003C\u002Fa>. Based on those individual health metrics, the lifestyle strategist can create personalised lifestyle, diet and workout routines for their patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Already, training in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Flifestyle-medicine-could-be-the-key-for-digital-health-adoption\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the emerging field of lifestyle medicine\u003C\u002Fa> is helping physicians adopt such a role and it can help redesign primary care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Telesurgeon: performing surgeries from afar\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By 2025, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marketsandmarkets.com\u002FMarket-Reports\u002Fmedical-robotic-systems-market-2916860.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">analysts expect\u003C\u002Fa> the global medical robots market to reach $12.7 billion; up from its $5.9 billion valuation in 2020. Combine that with the fact that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5g-in-healthcare-boosting-telehealth-vr-connected-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">5G in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa> is just around the corner, and it’s easy to see a rising demand for specialists well-versed in surgical robots. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the assistance of robots, surgeons will not only be able to perform more intricate procedures but also to perform them remotely. And to fine-tune their skills, surgeons can employ technologies like augmented or virtual reality. These can adequately help plan for operations or even boost surgeons’ performance. Indeed, some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">studies show\u003C\u002Fa> that VR-trained surgeons experienced a boost in their overall performance compared to their traditionally-trained counterparts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-33337\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F105_Do-scalable-simulations-prepare-for-medical-realities.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Bioprinting experts: to design synthetic organs \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While we are currently limited to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">bioprinting tissues\u003C\u002Fa>, full-blown synthetic organs are an eventuality down the line. Some experts even believe that we will have a bioprinted heart in an animal \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F278969\u002Fams-2021-deconstructing-the-timeline-to-bioprinted-organs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in 12 years\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such bioprinted organs will be lifesaving for the thousands of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.organdonor.gov\u002Fstatistics-stories\u002Fstatistics.html\" target=\"_blank\">organ transplant candidates\u003C\u002Fa>; and with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.howstuffworks.com\u002Fmedicine\u002Fmodern-technology\u002F3-d-bioprinting.htm#pt3\" target=\"_blank\">bioprinting techniques\u003C\u002Fa>, these organs can be custom-designed to individual patients. For this purpose, we will need bioprinting experts to scale the bioprinting material and scaffold to each patient’s needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Patient assistant: helping patients navigate the healthcare jungle\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the heavy technological presence in the future of healthcare, one of the most important aspects will be the human touch. This coveted aspect of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-age-of-a-i-will-value-compassionate-care-more-than-ever\u002F\">compassionate care\u003C\u002Fa> can be provided by a so-called patient assistant. The latter will provide patients with the adequate amount of attention; help them navigate their health data; and piece together relevant information for physicians to provide treatment options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While such assistants or navigators don’t need to be physicians themselves, they have extensive knowledge of the healthcare system; and will work in tandem with a team of medical professionals to enhance the patient experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-768x432.png\" alt=\"future of nurses\" class=\"wp-image-20967\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffuture-of-nursing.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. VR therapist: treating patients with new realities\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By means of a dedicated headset, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-used-clinical-practice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">virtual reality\u003C\u002Fa> immerses the user into a different world. The technology’s potential in healthcare not only includes medical training but also therapeutic pathways. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Indeed, studies already point to VR as being a beneficial, drug-free alternative; whether it’s in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stgeorges.nhs.uk\u002Fnewsitem\u002Fvr-headsets-relaxing-patients-during-surgery-at-st-georges\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reducing post-surgical pain\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-help-women-get-through-childbirth-with-less-pain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">making childbirth less painful\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apa.org\u002Fmonitor\u002Fjulaug05\u002Fcure\" target=\"_blank\">treating phobias\u003C\u002Fa>. As VR therapies get increasingly adopted in mainstream practice, they will need to be professionally designed to incorporate targeted elements for patient groups. This is where the input of a VR therapist will be crucial. The latter would require a background in psychiatry and experience with VR technology to design appropriate treatments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. Health data analysts: to make sense of data and AI\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the amount of digital data \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.emc.com\u002Fleadership\u002Fdigital-universe\u002F2014iview\u002Fexecutive-summary.htm\" target=\"_blank\">doubling every second year\u003C\u002Fa> and digital health tools \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statista.com\u002Fstatistics\u002F1092869\u002Fglobal-digital-health-market-size-forecast\u002F#:~:text=According%20to%20this%20forecast%2C%20the,and%20a%20projection%20for%202025\" target=\"_blank\">contributing their share to this volume\u003C\u002Fa>, we will need to make sense of such big data in healthcare. This will be the focus of health data analysts. They will need to constantly analyse and interpret this ever-increasing data load for local authorities or insurance providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Their data-interpreting skills won’t only be necessary on such higher levels but also in day-to-day medical practice. The analysts will be the one able to help streamline and deal with data that patients bring from their personal sensors and online testing kits. Thus, their work in separating the wheat from the chaff will subsequently enable physicians to focus on the relevant data points of their patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-768x432.png\" alt=\"data annotation\" class=\"wp-image-23566\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F081_data_annotator-scaled.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>We hope that you found this list insightful and that it might even have helped you find your future professional path. If there are any promising ones you think will be of importance in the near future, do share them with us!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":632,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>If you’re among the thousands of medical students worldwide or are about to pursue a degree in healthcare, it might have dawned on you that […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",34321,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[636,68,637,638,70,525,639,640,171,276,5,641,526],498,798,491,516,497,494,[81,643,644,645,646,647,87,648,76,649,650,651,652,653,654],137,4883,723,152,6397,224,372,545,604,619,1319,636,[656,657,90,91,92],949,950,[],[106,99,660,531,101,102,661,662,663,664,665,97],1631,1725,1729,1741,1789,1883,[667,53,109,110,111,112,113,668,114,669,670,116,537,671,672,303,304,117,673,538,127,674,675,676,677,678,133,679,122,680,681,682,683,684,685,686,687,135,136,137],"post-34265","category-3d-printing","category-digital-health-research","category-empowered-patients","category-medical-education","category-portable-diagnostics","category-telemedicine","tag-algorithm","tag-lifestyle-medicine","tag-telemedicine","tag-bioprinting","tag-epatients","tag-ecg","tag-radiology","tag-sensors","tag-food-scanner","tag-lifestyle","tag-telesurgery","tag-deep-learning","project_category-educators","project_category-medical-professionals",{"id":633,"alt_text":689,"caption":64,"description":690,"media_type":142,"media_details":691,"post":620,"source_url":708},"future jobs in healthcare","Futuristic Jobs In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":692,"sizes":693,"image_meta":707},"2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png",{"medium":694,"large":697,"thumbnail":700,"medium_large":703,"1536x1536":704},{"file":695,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":696},"tmf_article_264-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-370x208.png",{"file":698,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":699},"tmf_article_264-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-768x432.png",{"file":701,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":702},"tmf_article_264-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-150x150.png",{"file":698,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":699},{"file":705,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":706},"tmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_264-01.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":710,"related_posts_footer":712,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":715},[711,340],34151,[713,714,192],34179,34065,[716,718],{"title":717},"\u003Cp>Thinking about potential jobs in the future might help the current workforce better retrain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":719},"\u003Cp>It can also help employers prepare for the special skills and environments required by these unique professions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":721,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":722,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":626},"7 Futuristic Professions In Healthcare You Can Still Prepare For - The Medical Futurist","Healthcare is changing and so must medical education. Have a look at 7 interesting jobs from the future you can still prepare for.",{"self":724,"collection":729,"about":731,"author":733,"replies":735,"version-history":738,"predecessor-version":741,"wp:featuredmedia":745,"wp:attachment":748,"wp:term":751,"curies":762},[725],{"href":726,"targetHints":727},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265",{"allow":728},[27],[730],{"href":214},[732],{"href":217},[734],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[736],{"embeddable":41,"href":737},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=34265",[739],{"count":413,"href":740},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265\u002Frevisions",[742],{"id":743,"href":744},59141,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34265\u002Frevisions\u002F59141",[746],{"embeddable":41,"href":747},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34321",[749],{"href":750},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=34265",[752,754,756,758,760],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":753},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=34265",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":755},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=34265",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":757},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=34265",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":759},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=34265",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":761},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=34265",[763],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":765,"date":766,"date_gmt":767,"guid":768,"modified":770,"modified_gmt":771,"slug":772,"status":52,"type":53,"link":773,"title":774,"content":776,"excerpt":778,"author":413,"featured_media":780,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":781,"categories":782,"tags":785,"project_category":786,"contact_email_category":787,"yst_prominent_words":788,"class_list":791,"better_featured_image":795,"acf":829,"yoast_meta":837,"_links":839},58581,"2025-03-14T10:00:00","2025-03-14T09:00:00",{"rendered":769},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58581&_wpnonce=83e38d9357&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-03-13T15:59:15","2025-03-13T14:59:15","5-digital-health-areas-to-be-impacted-by-the-fda-layoffs","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-digital-health-areas-to-be-impacted-by-the-fda-layoffs",{"rendered":775},"5 Digital Health Areas To Be Impacted By The FDA Layoffs",{"rendered":777,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>In the early days of Facebook, the company’s progress was guided by the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2019\u002F01\u002Fthe-era-of-move-fast-and-break-things-is-over\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">“move fast and break things” principle\u003C\u002Fa>. To a certain extent, this was the motto across the tech industry to put products on the market. This principle emphasized the benefit of speed and experimentation, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.masterclass.com\u002Farticles\u002Fmove-fast-and-break-things\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">often with mistakes and disruption\u003C\u002Fa> in relation to regulations and traditional practices, over a slow and cautious pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With tech moguls now working closely with the second Trump administration, this concept has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">adopted at a governmental level\u003C\u002Fa> in the US. As a result, things are indeed moving fast, and breaking, with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F19\u002Ffda-layoffs-could-shift-regulatory-burden-health-systems-ai-prognosis\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thousands of jobs\u003C\u002Fa> across key agencies have been eliminated. This includes sensitive sectors such as healthcare where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the world’s leading regulatory agency, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">experienced widespread layoffs and scrambling rehires\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As this happened in a matter of weeks of the new administration taking office, it leads to concerns over the FDA’s future; especially in new and rapidly evolving areas such as digital health and healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) which were markedly affected by the layoffs. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such disruptions \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\">might still be \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">o\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2025\u002Ffeb\u002F09\u002Fwhile-trump-is-moving-fast-and-breaking-things-americans-wanting-to-escape-should-come-to-australia\">n the table\u003C\u002Fa> over the coming years of this new administration, it is worth considering the emerging digital health sectors that could be the most impacted. Moreover, will another agency take up the FDA’s role as the world’s leading regulatory body in the medical and healthcare space? We consider these aspects in this article.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What’s behind the FDA layoffs?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In February 2025, as part of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a cost-cutting approach\u003C\u002Fa> initiated by the White House and the Department of Government Efficiency, which is led by billionaire Elon Musk, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Fworld\u002Fus\u002Fus-fda-asks-fired-scientists-return-including-some-reviewing-musks-neuralink-2025-02-22\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a thousand employees\u003C\u002Fa> were fired from the FDA. As with other agencies affected by this “move fast, break things” approach, the FDA terminations targeted those \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in their probationary period\u003C\u002Fa>, which is usually the first two years of federal employment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this impacted \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F19\u002Ffda-layoffs-could-shift-regulatory-burden-health-systems-ai-prognosis\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new and rapidly evolving\u003C\u002Fa>, but important, areas like digital health and healthcare AI, where the agency was building up its capacity for regulation as these areas quickly advanced in the past few years. For example, the job cuts \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-neuralink-reviewers-fired-musk-s-doge-cuts-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">affected 20 employees\u003C\u002Fa> from the FDA’s Office of Neurological and Physical Medicine devices. This \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-neuralink-reviewers-fired-musk-s-doge-cuts-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">included individuals\u003C\u002Fa> reviewing Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which was under pressure for alleged animal deaths during testing of its neurotech device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“These people are indispensable,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nbcnews.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fhealth-news\u002Ffda-rehires-staff-medical-devices-division-mass-layoffs-rcna193501\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a former FDA employee\u003C\u002Fa> said. “Many of these roles require so much training and specialization and are so important for keeping people alive.” Indeed, the fired employees included physicians and cybersecurity experts responsible for the approval and safety monitoring of products ranging from X-ray machines to surgical implants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ffda-office-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58583\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ffda-office-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ffda-office.jpg 1521w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>These layoffs were met with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">significant pushback\u003C\u002Fa> from medical device industry lobbyists who fund the FDA with millions of dollars annually to hire extra scientists to review products. In fact, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">about $3.3 billion\u003C\u002Fa> or approximately half of the FDA’s budget originates from fees paid by drugmakers, device and tobacco companies. As such, the Musk-led cuts won’t be as significant to their aim at reducing the federal budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The lobbyists \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\">cautioned that\u003C\u002Fa> the job cuts would lead to slower product approvals and a scarcity of new treatment options for patients. Following their call for reversal, the FDA did move to reinstate \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Ffda-works-reverse-layoffs-rehire-lost-staff-reports\" target=\"_blank\">a reported 300 people\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Digital health fields that might get impacted by the FDA lay-offs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the rehires, this leaves a vacuum in key areas of FDA’s regulatory oversight – due to the US President’s executive order to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.biopharmadive.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-hhs-cuts-impact\u002F740499\u002F\">limit the rate\u003C\u002Fa> of future hiring – and a sense of uncertainty amidst the broader medical community. With the new administration only recently taking office, there remains the possibility of a future reduction in the FDA workforce. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The immediate effects of the reduction of the FDA’s work will mean that the agency will take longer to review applications, which will cascade into reduced efficiency and overall oversight. With fewer hires, the agency’s expertise and expansion in emerging healthcare fields will further diminish. We consider some that are more likely to be impacted below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-768x432.png\" alt=\"Top medical technologies\" class=\"wp-image-25448\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftop-technologies.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Digital health devices \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The majority of the layoffs impacted the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), with a reported \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.raps.org\u002Fnews-and-articles\u002Fnews-articles\u002F2025\u002F2\u002Fexperts-fda-layoffs-will-slow-device-reviews,-impa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">200 device staff positions\u003C\u002Fa> made redundant. As such, this could affect the review and regulation of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F21\u002Fhealth\u002Ffda-trump-layoffs-device-and-food-safety.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digital health devices\u003C\u002Fa> such as brain implants, new surgical staplers and insulin-delivery systems. The turnover rate of assessing their safety and subsequent approval is likely to be reduced and new digital health devices will take longer to be available in the US market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Healthcare AI\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>FDA employees specializing in healthcare AI were hit particularly hard by the terminations. It is estimated that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medtechdive.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-cdrh-cuts-device-industry-impact\u002F740528\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">half of that division\u003C\u002Fa> was laid off. The approval of such new technologies is among the most challenging and complicated; and a reduced workforce overseeing them will face additional challenges in keeping up with the breakneck speed of AI development. It is crucial to ensure the reliability of such tools when AI software such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F21\u002Fhealth\u002Ffda-trump-layoffs-device-and-food-safety.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MRI scan analysers and cancer detection tools\u003C\u002Fa> are actively being reviewed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ften-ways-technology-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital therapeutics\u003C\u002Fa> (DTx) are an emerging digital health approach which involves the delivery of clinically-backed solutions via software (usually smartphone apps). They can aid in reducing readmission rates and managing chronic conditions more effectively. As a larger number of software are developed and backed by research, the FDA might not have the capacity to regulate this expanding landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-768x1350.png\" alt=\"TMF Drugs Vs Digital Therapeutics\" class=\"wp-image-51983\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-768x1350.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-874x1536.png 874w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx-1165x2048.png 1165w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002FTMF_Drugs-Vs-DTx.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imdrf.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002Fdocs\u002Fimdrf\u002Ffinal\u002Ftechnical\u002Fimdrf-tech-131209-samd-key-definitions-140901.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">defined by the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF)\u003C\u002Fa> as “software intended to be used for one or more medical purposes that perform these purposes without being part of a hardware medical device”. Examples \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fmedical-devices\u002Fsoftware-medical-device-samd\u002Fwhat-are-examples-software-medical-device\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">range from\u003C\u002Fa> smartphone apps that allow radiological images to be read for diagnostic purposes, to bespoke software that interfaces with medical devices such as a glucose monitor to assess the readings. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the increasing reliance on companion or even standalone software in the digital health age, the use of SaMD \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fmedical-devices\u002Fdigital-health-center-excellence\u002Fsoftware-medical-device-samd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">continues to increase\u003C\u002Fa>. Regulators are expected to assess this increasing volume of software in a timely manner, but restructuring at the FDA might not facilitate this task. This can result in a slower pace of innovation in commercially-available SaMD which might otherwise assist patients and physicians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. 3D printing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The FDA’s CDRH \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fmedical-devices\u002F3d-printing-medical-devices\u002Ffdas-role-3d-printing\" target=\"_blank\">also evaluates 3D-printed medical devices\u003C\u002Fa> to determine safety and effectiveness. 3D printing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-printing-in-medicine-and-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">has been a promising\u003C\u002Fa> approach in healthcare for decades but their rate of market availability has been stifled by regulatory hurdles. With the CDRH’s reduced capacity, this digital health area is likely to slow down further, preventing widespread access to products such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffuture-3d-printing-drugs-pharmacies-closer-think\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">3D printed drugs\u003C\u002Fa> to facilitate medication adherence and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-printing-in-medicine-and-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">3D printed biomaterials\u003C\u002Fa> to replace failing organs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Ultimate List of What We Can 3D Print in Healthcare - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F9XYLRaVqzNY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Will another agency take over the FDA’s lead?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The recent layoffs at the FDA do not (hopefully) presage the demise of the agency. Its importance is widely recognized, as reflected by lobbyists who aided towards the rehiring of some employees. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“The disarray caused by the wholesale termination of a wide swath of device centre staff was counterproductive and appears to have caused a variety of unintended and negative results,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapnews.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffda-layoffs-trump-doge-rehired-medical-devices-85d4743e4ce88dbe3b99c813bad4b702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said Steve Silverman\u003C\u002Fa>, a former FDA device official who now runs a consulting firm. “It’s encouraging to see a shift in the opposite direction that recognizes the critical expertise of these staffers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this state of affairs adds a sense of uncertainty to what has been, so far, considered the world’s leading and most forward-looking regulatory agency in medicine and healthcare. The prevailing notion of potential future layoffs could further make current FDA employees \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.raps.org\u002Fnews-and-articles\u002Fnews-articles\u002F2025\u002F2\u002Fexperts-fda-layoffs-will-slow-device-reviews,-impa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more risk-averse\u003C\u002Fa> and more cautious about making controversial approval decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a result, other agencies might take over the FDA’s role in pushing innovations further. The European Union’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ema.europa.eu\u002Fen\u002Fabout-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">European Medicines Agency\u003C\u002Fa> (EMA), established in 1995, could be an option with its decades of experience and collaboration across member states. However, there \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.euractiv.com\u002Fsection\u002Fhealth-consumers\u002Fnews\u002Fstudy-highlights-eus-fragmented-access-to-new-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">remains a fragmentation\u003C\u002Fa> in individual states regarding access to new therapies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"EMA Working for every patient in Europe - (multi-language)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FkuCuWSLslGI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such fragmentation might persist, with other agencies such as China’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fenglish.nmpa.gov.cn\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Medical Products Administration\u003C\u002Fa> (NMPA) and the more recent \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nepad.org\u002Fmicrosite\u002Fafrican-medicines-agency-ama\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">African Medicines Agency\u003C\u002Fa> (AMA) leading innovation in specific digital health fields, rather than the sector as a whole. This further reflects the uncertainties brought upon by the recent “move fast and break things” principle brought to key agencies like the FDA. As a consequence, it is worth contemplating a future where other agencies take up the mantle of leaders in digital health innovation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":779,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>In the early days of Facebook, the company’s progress was guided by the “move fast and break things” principle. To a certain extent, this was […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",58589,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[274,68,70,783,784,5],490,800,[],[],[],[97,99,100,789,790],4859,5067,[792,53,109,110,111,112,113,301,114,116,793,794,117],"post-58581","category-future-of-pharma","category-healthcare-policy",{"id":780,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":142,"media_details":796,"post":765,"source_url":828},{"width":797,"height":798,"file":799,"filesize":800,"sizes":801,"image_meta":826},2316,1302,"2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs.jpg",398001,{"medium":802,"large":807,"thumbnail":811,"medium_large":815,"1536x1536":816,"2048x2048":820},{"file":803,"width":150,"height":151,"mime-type":804,"filesize":805,"source_url":806},"tmf-fda-layoffs-370x208.jpg","image\u002Fjpeg",12317,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-370x208.jpg",{"file":808,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":804,"filesize":809,"source_url":810},"tmf-fda-layoffs-768x432.jpg",33802,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-768x432.jpg",{"file":812,"width":161,"height":161,"mime-type":804,"filesize":813,"source_url":814},"tmf-fda-layoffs-150x150.jpg",4712,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-150x150.jpg",{"file":808,"width":156,"height":157,"mime-type":804,"filesize":809,"source_url":810},{"file":817,"width":166,"height":167,"mime-type":804,"filesize":818,"source_url":819},"tmf-fda-layoffs-1536x864.jpg",107937,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-1536x864.jpg",{"file":821,"width":822,"height":823,"mime-type":804,"filesize":824,"source_url":825},"tmf-fda-layoffs-2048x1151.jpg",2048,1151,190107,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-2048x1151.jpg",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186,"keywords":827},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs.jpg",{"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":830,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[831,833,835],{"title":832},"\u003Cp>Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experienced widespread layoffs in key departments overseeing the safety of digital health technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":834},"\u003Cp>We consider 5 digital health areas that could be the most impacted by such restructuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":836},"\u003Cp>The events also raise an air of uncertainty about the FDA’s leading role in regulating the medical space and encouraging innovation; raising the question of whether other agencies could take up its role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":838,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":773},"5 Digital Health Areas To Be Impacted By The FDA Layoffs - The Medical Futurist",{"self":840,"collection":845,"about":847,"author":849,"replies":851,"version-history":854,"predecessor-version":858,"wp:featuredmedia":862,"wp:attachment":865,"wp:term":868,"curies":879},[841],{"href":842,"targetHints":843},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58581",{"allow":844},[27],[846],{"href":214},[848],{"href":217},[850],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[852],{"embeddable":41,"href":853},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58581",[855],{"count":856,"href":857},3,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58581\u002Frevisions",[859],{"id":860,"href":861},58595,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58581\u002Frevisions\u002F58595",[863],{"embeddable":41,"href":864},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F58589",[866],{"href":867},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58581",[869,871,873,875,877],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":870},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58581",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":872},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58581",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":874},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58581",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":876},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58581",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":878},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58581",[880],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":882,"date":883,"date_gmt":884,"guid":885,"modified":887,"modified_gmt":888,"slug":889,"status":52,"type":53,"link":890,"title":891,"content":893,"excerpt":895,"author":413,"featured_media":897,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":898,"categories":899,"tags":900,"project_category":925,"contact_email_category":927,"yst_prominent_words":928,"class_list":934,"better_featured_image":961,"acf":986,"yoast_meta":1001,"_links":1004},30339,"2024-02-08T09:30:00","2024-02-08T08:30:00",{"rendered":886},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=30339&_wpnonce=cc64100de5&status=auto-draft&type=post","2024-02-08T10:51:16","2024-02-08T09:51:16","your-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide",{"rendered":892},"Hackers, Breaches And The Value Of Health Data: 2024 E-Book Update",{"rendered":894,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>As solutions like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fget-used-to-it-remote-care-is-the-new-norm\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">remote care\u003C\u002Fa> are becoming the norm, 3D printing disrupts the normal supply chain and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnew-study-the-state-of-artificial-intelligence-based-fda-approved-medical-devices-and-algorithms-an-online-database\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the number of life science studies\u003C\u002Fa> on tools like artificial intelligence (AI) skyrocket, it’s become clear that we are not anticipating the digital health era; we \u003Cem>are \u003C\u002Fem>in the digital health era. This was to come sooner or later, but the pandemic accelerated the process by years. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, along with the enhanced healthcare landscape that digital health brings along, there is the pressing issue of privacy. To put it bluntly, \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>there is no digital health without sacrificing a part of our privacy.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong> The advanced technologies fuelling the transformation cannot improve – and offer better services or access – without our data. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>In the age of digital health, it’s not a question of whether we should do this but how we can do it in a way that protects what is valuable and vulnerable. \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>And also: how can we prevent companies or individuals from making money off our health data without our explicit knowledge AND consent? \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"ebook-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"ebook-block-backdrop backdrop-blur\" id=\"modal-backdrop-ebook-block_a60a9a00619f02a18a5225fa403b38b5\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cinput style=\"display: none\" id=\"modal-ebook-block_a60a9a00619f02a18a5225fa403b38b5\"\n       value=\"{"featured":{"ID":30419,"post_author":"6","post_date":"2020-10-01 10:54:54","post_date_gmt":"2020-10-01 08:54:54","post_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>Today, everyone needs to understand that there is no digital health without sacrificing a part of our privacy. The advanced technologies fueling the transformation cannot improve without our data; and without it, they can’t be implemented as part of regular medical care. And COVID-19 has only made things worse.<\\\u002Fp>\\n<!-- \\\u002Fwp:paragraph -->\\n\\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>In this e-Book, we defined the three cornerstones of privacy of every privacy discussion going forward: the traditional, the new and the future spheres that deal with your health data, and put forward recommendations on how you can start protecting yourself.<\\\u002Fp>\\n<!-- \\\u002Fwp:paragraph -->","post_title":"Hackers, Breaches and the Value of Health Data","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"privacy-in-digital-health","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-03-12 18:16:29","post_modified_gmt":"2023-03-12 17:16:29","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002F?post_type=book&p=30419","menu_order":10,"post_type":"book","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","featured_image":["https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002Fhack-breaches-health-data.png",320,414,false],"leanpub_url":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fleanpub.com\\\u002Fprivacy-in-digital-health\\\u002F","preview":[{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-01.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-03.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-04.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-05.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-06.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-07.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-08.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-09.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F10\\\u002F0930_PRIVACY_TMF_EBOOK-10.png"}],"buy_button_text":"Get it on Leanpub"},"others":[]}\"\u002F>\n\u003Cdiv id=\"ebook-block_a60a9a00619f02a18a5225fa403b38b5\" class=\"ebook\">\n    \u003Cdiv class=\"ebook-block h-100\">\n        \u003Cdiv class=\"container h-100\">\n            \u003Cdiv class=\"article-body h-100\">\n                \u003Cdiv class=\"row h-100 align-items-center\">\n                    \u003Cdiv class=\"col-md-5 pr-md-5 mb-4 mb-md-0\">\n                        \u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002Fhack-breaches-health-data.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-fluid\">\n                    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n                    \u003Cdiv class=\"col-md-7 pl-md-3\">\n                        \u003Ch3>Hackers, Breaches and the Value of Health Data\u003C\u002Fh3>\n                        \u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>Today, everyone needs to understand that there is no digital health without sacrificing a part of our privacy. The advanced technologies fueling the transformation cannot improve without our data; and without it, they can’t be implemented as part of regular medical care. And COVID-19 has only made things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->\n\n\u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>In this e-Book, we defined the three cornerstones of privacy of every privacy discussion going forward: the traditional, the new and the future spheres that deal with your health data, and put forward recommendations on how you can start protecting yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->                        \u003Cbutton data-target=\"modal-ebook-block_a60a9a00619f02a18a5225fa403b38b5\"\n                                class=\"ebook-block-button btn btn-lg font-weight-bold btn-tmf-blue mt-3\">\n                            Start Reading Now\n                        \u003C\u002Fbutton>\n                    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n                \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n            \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n        \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such a discussion is at the centerpiece of our new e-book “\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fprivacy-in-digital-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hackers, Breaches And The Value Of Health Data\u003C\u002Fa>.” In this article, we discuss the three cornerstones of privacy in every privacy discussion going forward. These encompass the traditional, the new, and the future spheres that deal with your health data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We also highly encourage you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fprivacy-in-digital-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pick up our e-book on LeanPub\u003C\u002Fa> to discover our full analysis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The traditional: when institutions hold on to your data\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For long, healthcare institutions and authorities safeguarded our healthcare data. Secured as physical records and on IT systems, this medical information was not even accessible to us. With the digitization of healthcare, those authorities have to double down on securely managing sensitive data. Are they up to the task? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Your Privacy in the Digital Health Era \u002F Episode 26 - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fl6yKFeYSQjA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Watch our episode on privacy on YouTube\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Already, medical information is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.securelink.com\u002Fblog\u002Fhealthcare-data-new-prize-hackers\u002F#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20Trustwave%20report,record%20(a%20payment%20card).\" target=\"_blank\">among the most valuable\u003C\u002Fa> items on the black market. It allows counterfeiters to file false insurance claims and even to buy medical equipment illegally. This valuable commodity is leading to an \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fhealthcare-data-breach-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">increased incidence of compromised healthcare records\u003C\u002Fa>. HIPAA has been monitoring these incidents since 2009 and their accumulated figures show that while the number of incidents increases year after year, their impact (number of exposed records, number of compromised records) varies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, we are talking about some whopping numbers here:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Between October 21, 2009 and the end of 2023, 5,887 large healthcare data breaches have been reported.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>There was no letup in cyberattacks on healthcare organizations in 2023, which set two new records: the most reported data breaches and the most breached records. Last year 725 data breaches were reported to the Office for Civil Rights (only registers cases with 500+ records) and across those breaches, more than 133 million records were exposed or impermissibly disclosed. \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>In 2023, 79.7% of data breaches were due to hacking incidents. \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>An influx of data to deal with\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Forecasts put the amount of digital data by 2025 at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdev.to\u002Faws-builders\u002Fthere-will-be-175-zettabytes-of-data-in-the-world-by-2025-where-will-we-store-it-1ck4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">175 zettabytes\u003C\u002Fa> or 175 trillion gigabytes. Digital health tools’ contribution to this \u003Cem>very\u003C\u002Fem> significant chunk of data isn’t negligible as their \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffinance.yahoo.com\u002Fnews\u002Fdigital-health-market-forecasted-reach-062100319.html#:~:text=Key%20Points%20and%20Statistics%20on,USD%201%2C592%20Billion%20by%202032.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">market share is steadily increasing\u003C\u002Fa>. The very authorities safeguarding this information must handle this major influx of sensitive data with extreme caution. And we can extrapolate from recent examples to see how this can play out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsenators-dont-understand-facebook-will-make-sense-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal\u003C\u002Fa>, millions of users’ information was compromised without their knowledge. When Mark Zuckerberg faced Senators during his hearing, the main take-home message was that politicians understand little regarding the tech industry’s functioning. Some Senators clearly \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2018\u002F4\u002F11\u002F17224184\u002Ffacebook-mark-zuckerberg-congress-senators\" target=\"_blank\">failed to understand how Facebook operates and generates revenue\u003C\u002Fa> – which was at the core of the scandal. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With such a poor grasp over the basic functioning of tech companies, how will policymakers regulate upcoming digital health issues where the technologies and data involved put human lives at stake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F118_Genomics-and-politics-in-Iceland.png\" alt=\"Iceland and genomics\" class=\"wp-image-25246\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F118_Genomics-and-politics-in-Iceland.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F118_Genomics-and-politics-in-Iceland-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F118_Genomics-and-politics-in-Iceland-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F118_Genomics-and-politics-in-Iceland-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F118_Genomics-and-politics-in-Iceland-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, we have \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ficeland-and-genomics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the case of Iceland\u003C\u002Fa>. Here authorities took the lead in addressing similar issues. The private genetic sequencing company, DeCode Genetics, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2015\u002F03\u002F25\u002F168797\u002Fgenome-study-predicts-dna-of-the-whole-of-iceland\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">could identify all of the country’s inhabitants\u003C\u002Fa> who are at risk of breast cancer due to a defective, inherited gene. DeCode Genetics could do this by extrapolating on the genetic data it already sequenced from Icelanders as part of a study, but the rest who could be identified didn’t take part in or knew about this research. The country’s regulators ruled that neither the government nor private companies should identify and inform individuals of such risks without prior consent to access their genetic data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the ever-increasing volume of sensitive information, similar conflicts are bound to emerge in the coming years. Policymakers should take the lead in regulating and handling these issues, rather than lag behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Epic case\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While authorities traditionally kept our data safe in the ivory towers of medicine, we, the patients, could not proof-check the information gathered about us. However, turning this around can help fix data errors and offer additional insights. One of the stars of the e-patient community, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fparticipatorymedicine.org\u002Fepatients\u002F2009\u002F04\u002Fimagine-if-someone-had-been-managing-your-data-and-then-you-looked.html\" target=\"_blank\">e-Patient Dave\u003C\u002Fa> emphasized this back in 2009. How would you know if potentially life-saving information about you is right or wrong if you can’t look into those records yourself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Superpatients - In Conversation With E-patient Dave Debronkart\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FJDtQFoFKt2s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the attitude of barring access to one’s medical records has little changed. In 2020, Epic, the largest electronic health record (EHR) company in the U.S., \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2020\u002F01\u002F27\u002Fepic-should-support-health-data-rule-not-block-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">downplayed the federal government’s effort\u003C\u002Fa> to enable easier access to one’s electronic health data. Epic’s CEO \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2020\u002F01\u002F22\u002Fepic-ceo-sends-letter-urging-hospitals-to-oppose-hhs-data-sharing-rule.html\" target=\"_blank\">wrote to hospital administrators\u003C\u002Fa>, nudging them to disapprove of the proposed rules. Critics went on to highlight how Epic has done little to favor health data interoperability between different EHR systems and that the company even “\u003Cem>imposes information blocking\u003C\u002Fem>.” A \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjamanetwork.com\u002Fjournals\u002Fjamanetworkopen\u002Ffullarticle\u002F2705850\" target=\"_blank\">study showed\u003C\u002Fa> how some healthcare institutions give patients “c\u003Cem>onflicting information about requesting their records and, in many cases, give blatant misinformation or limited information\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Giving patients agency over their health information by giving them clear access to it should be promoted, not hampered. Such access allows them to have second opinions easily, switch providers if necessary and even download the data that institutions have about them. If major actors don’t support this view, then outsiders will come into play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For instance, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002FHT208680\" target=\"_blank\">Apple’s Health app\u003C\u002Fa> lets users view all of their health data and even allows them to delete the data from their app. The \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhugo.health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Hugo Health\u003C\u002Fa> platform connects patients with their medical data and only moves data with their permission. Legislative bodies could further support such efforts to open up access to data so that patients can make more informed decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The new: consumer tech with your medical information\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the help of digital health technologies, patients turn into the point of care. Consumer technologies like smartwatches, portable ECGs, and at-home lab\u002Fgenomic tests give unprecedented access to our own health data. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This democratisation of access to quality care is a double-edged sword as the companies behind those solutions might make some profit from our health data without our explicit knowledge, let alone, consent. Furthermore, privacy and security are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2023\u002F5\u002F4\u002F23710840\u002Fmental-health-therapy-apps-mozilla-report-privacy-data-security\" target=\"_blank\">not always the main concern\u003C\u002Fa> when it comes to for-profit companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By adopting digital health technologies, a new level of individual responsibility ensues to secure our sensitive data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Watchful tech\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.trustwave.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fresources\u002Flibrary\u002Fdocuments\u002F2019-trustwave-global-security-report\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Trustwave Global Security Report\u003C\u002Fa>, healthcare data may be valued at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.securelink.com\u002Fblog\u002Fhealthcare-data-new-prize-hackers\u002F#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20Trustwave%20report,record%20(a%20payment%20card).\">up to $250 per record\u003C\u002Fa> on the black market (unfortunately, there is no follow-up on these numbers from later years). On the other hand, the next highest valued data, payment cards, are at $5.40. No wonder, such information enables fraudsters to make false insurance claims or buy medical supplies illegally. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now that individuals generate steady streams of such information through their wearable sensors, these devices are becoming targets for malicious third parties. For instance, fitness wearables giant Garmin was targeted when hackers \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fgarmin-ransomware-hack-warning\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">halted the services\u003C\u002Fa>, threatening users’ data. The company \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cshub.com\u002Fattacks\u002Farticles\u002Fincident-of-the-week-garmin-pays-10-million-to-ransomware-hackers-who-rendered-systems-useless\" target=\"_blank\">reportedly paid $10 million\u003C\u002Fa> to free its systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fwearables.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25285\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fwearables.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fwearables-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fwearables-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fwearables-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fwearables-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>And such reports represent only cases made public.\u003Cem> “There are certainly rather large organisations that you are not hearing about who have been impacted,”\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fgarmin-ransomware-hack-warning\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Kimberly Goody\u003C\u002Fa>, senior manager of analysis at security firm FireEye, commented on the matter. \u003Cem>“Maybe you don’t hear about that because they choose to pay or because it doesn’t necessarily impact consumers in a way it would be obvious something is wrong.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If even major players in the wearables industry aren’t impervious to cyberattacks, then it raises the question of how seriously these companies take the issue of security over our data. There is much room for improvement and it’s ultimately up to the company to do so. As consumers, we can demand tighter control over our information, or at the very least, reconsider which company we entrust with our data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Genetic sequencing: risk-averse or profitable?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At-home, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing kits are simply revolutionary. The first human genome took \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2015\u002F12\u002F10\u002Funlocking-my-genome-was-it-worth-it.html\" target=\"_blank\">some $2.7 billion and nearly 15 years\u003C\u002Fa> to complete. Now people can order a kit to take samples at home and send it back to the company to get a result within weeks. The cost to do that has dropped precipitously, soon sequencing your full genome could cost as little as $100. Having such a test done informs one about their risk for ailments and allows them to tailor their diet and lifestyle to maximize their health. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F051_genomsequence_v2-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22404\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F051_genomsequence_v2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F051_genomsequence_v2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F051_genomsequence_v2-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F051_genomsequence_v2.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s easy to see how \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Fnews\u002Fgenome-researchers-raise-alarm-over-big-data-1.17912#\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">up to 2 billion human genomes\u003C\u002Fa> will have been sequenced by 2025. Some governments like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjournals.plos.org\u002Fplosbiology\u002Farticle?id=10.1371\u002Fjournal.pbio.1002195#pbio.1002195.ref021\" target=\"_blank\">England\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fhealth-25216135\" target=\"_blank\">Saudi Arabia\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frise-in-population-genomics-local-government-in-india-will-use-blockchain-to-secure-genetic-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Estonia\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frise-in-population-genomics-local-government-in-india-will-use-blockchain-to-secure-genetic-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">India\u003C\u002Fa> are trying to fast-track this adoption. Authorities in these countries plan to sequence a large number of their population’s genomes. However, such measures raise a host of ethical and legal questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>How will the data be secured to prevent abuse from bad actors? \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Will authorities and workplaces discriminate based on someone’s genetic risk? \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Will the data be sold to companies for a profit? \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The novelty and ease of access to such sensitive information are happening at a faster pace than regulations can catch up with. However, it might help to look at how other countries are handling similar situations. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We mentioned how Iceland dealt with private company mining for information without consent. In another example, the Estonian government \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-healthcare-in-estonia\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">secures genetic and healthcare information\u003C\u002Fa> with blockchain technology. The transparency it offers allows authorities and even patients to get to know who looked up individual health data. Healthcare professionals who did so without the proper authorization \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-happens-when-genomics-meets-politics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">were fined or even fired\u003C\u002Fa> from their respective medical institutions. Such measures can build trust with the average citizen so that they know that their data is in safe hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future: data you are not even aware of\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As we adopt advanced technologies as part of our daily lives, those very same tools are intermingling with our healthcare. We ask Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT about our ailments as simply as we ask them about a recipe. Our home assistants, in turn, synchronize with our wearables that are constantly monitoring our vitals to offer personalized results. These devices and assistants can further link up with other services or get employed by institutions in ways that can influence our health, beneficially or otherwise. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the digital health era, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-scenarios-of-how-your-health-data-can-be-or-was-already-stolen\">it’s getting challenging\u003C\u002Fa> to keep up with technological advances. And it’s getting even more challenging \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhere-is-what-even-healthcare-ai-companies-do-with-your-data\" target=\"_blank\">to track where our health data ends up\u003C\u002Fa> and its impact on ourselves. As part of the privacy discussion, we must look beyond the traditional healthcare landscape and into other industries for a better overview of the bigger picture. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>AI needs your data, will you give it away?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fartificial-intelligence-could-solve-alarm-fatigue-in-hospitals\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">solving alarm fatigue\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-things-that-will-dominate-the-2020s-for-pharma-companies\u002F\">quickening drug res\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-things-that-will-dominate-the-2020s-for-pharma-companies\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">e\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-things-that-will-dominate-the-2020s-for-pharma-companies\u002F\">arch\u003C\u002Fa> while cutting down on costs, AI’s potential in improving healthcare is revolutionary. However, without enough quality data, such smart algorithms simply cannot function as intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As more people use digital health devices and services, a trail of health data is created. Companies, in turn, utilise this data to enhance their products, generate IP, and in some cases, monetize it by selling or sharing it with third parties. Concerns arise about \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-intellectual-property-journey-of-patients-digital-health-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">who owns IP in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>, with varied laws across countries allowing data use in ways not always transparent to patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As AI and digital health evolve, there’s a pressing need for regulations ensuring informed data usage, clear IP ownership, and patient data access. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Big Tech won’t back down on the potential of AI in healthcare. In fact, these companies work relentlessly on \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-healthcare-power-ranking-of-tech-giants\" target=\"_blank\">setting foot in the health realm\u003C\u002Fa>. The global healthcare AI market is already \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marketsandmarkets.com\u002FMarket-Reports\u002Fartificial-intelligence-healthcare-market-54679303.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">projected to rise\u003C\u002Fa> to over $148 billion by 2029. Major companies will inevitably want a share in this market. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And they do have a tarnished reputation when it comes to handling sensitive health data. Amazon \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scmagazine.com\u002Fnews\u002Famazon-30-8m-alexa-ring-privacy-violations\" target=\"_blank\">has faced\u003C\u002Fa> a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F31\u002Ftechnology\u002Famazon-25-million-childrens-privacy.html\" target=\"_blank\">series of issues\u003C\u002Fa> in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.politico.com\u002Fnewsletters\u002Ffuture-pulse\u002F2023\u002F06\u002F16\u002Famazon-called-to-account-on-health-data-00102301\" target=\"_blank\">the past years\u003C\u002Fa>, Facebook has a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2022-06-17\u002Fmeta-sued-over-claims-patient-data-secretly-sent-to-facebook\" target=\"_blank\">shaky track record\u003C\u002Fa> when it comes to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fsociety\u002F2023\u002Fmay\u002F27\u002Fnhs-data-breach-trusts-shared-patient-details-with-facebook-meta-without-consent\" target=\"_blank\">handling private data\u003C\u002Fa>. And of course, Google also \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd41586-019-03574-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">had its share\u003C\u002Fa> of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2022\u002F05\u002F16\u002Fgoogle-deepmind-nhs-misuse-of-private-data-lawsuit\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">similar scandals\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Experts stress \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthitanalytics.com\u002Fnews\u002Fprivacy-protection-key-for-using-patient-data-to-develop-ai-tools\" target=\"_blank\">the need to de-identify data\u003C\u002Fa> for such purposes; and that, ideally, there should be no involvement of financial transactions when using clinical data for research and the development of AI models. Regulators should further keep tech companies in check in these matters. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>An example is how the U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-40483202\" target=\"_blank\">investigated the breach of the law\u003C\u002Fa> when the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust shared large amounts of patient data with Google’s DeepMind AI branch to develop a new platform. The Trust \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medicaldevice-network.com\u002Ffeatures\u002Fdata-privacy-advertising-amazon-and-artificial-intelligence\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">did not inform patients properly\u003C\u002Fa> about the use of their data for this purpose. It had to set up a legal basis for future data processing, complete a privacy impact assessment, and commission an independent audit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Will regulators and policymakers step up in similar situations in the future? Or are we expected to give away our information to those companies that can subsequently further profit off of these data?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Upgrades and guidance required for the digital health era\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As we’ve seen, privacy and security issues of the digital health era are complex and multi-factorial. These aren’t likely to get any simpler as more and more advanced technologies get integrated into the field – many needing huge amounts of data to make a real impact. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, every stakeholder in the healthcare landscape must contemplate the need for changes in this era. From a change in attitude to upgrades in privacy policies, change is part and parcel of digital health. It is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a cultural transformation\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And for a smooth transformation, there’s a need for appropriate guidance. As digital health technologies empower patients to become more proactive in managing their health, physicians can focus on the human component and serve as guides helping them navigate properly. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We further elaborate on the need for changes, the related issues and provide practical recommendations in our newly updated e-book. We again encourage you to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fprivacy-in-digital-health\" target=\"_blank\">pick your own copy on LeanPub\u003C\u002Fa> and share your feedback with us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":896,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>There is no digital health without sacrificing some of our privacy. The key is to know how you can control this process and protect what’s valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",47062,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,417,784,5],[901,650,902,903,904,905,83,906,85,907,79,908,909,910,84,911,912,913,914,287,915,916,917,918,919,920,921,922,923,924],220,228,655,4979,234,266,6055,279,690,6201,406,703,6203,1503,3083,1533,453,3085,1534,821,140,202,543,4725,[89,926,657,90,91],948,[],[100,929,531,101,930,931,932,106,96,97,933,99],4907,5835,1701,1979,4041,[935,53,109,110,111,112,113,114,427,794,117,936,681,937,938,939,940,129,941,131,942,125,943,944,945,130,946,947,948,949,314,950,951,952,953,954,955,956,957,958,959,134,960,687,135,136],"post-30339","tag-e-patient","tag-epatient","tag-genome-sequencing","tag-digital-pill","tag-facebook-2","tag-google-2","tag-deepmind","tag-hospital","tag-cybersecurity","tag-genetic-sequencing","tag-smartphone","tag-data-breach","tag-big-tech","tag-hack","tag-covid","tag-iceland","tag-wearables-2","tag-covid19","tag-decode","tag-a-i","tag-amazon","tag-device","tag-future-of-hospital","tag-apple-health","project_category-developers",{"id":897,"alt_text":962,"caption":64,"description":962,"media_type":142,"media_details":963,"post":882,"source_url":985},"Hackers, breaches and the value of health data TMF privacy ebook",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":964,"sizes":965,"image_meta":984},"2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small.png",{"medium":966,"large":969,"thumbnail":972,"medium_large":975,"1536x1536":976,"2048x2048":979},{"file":967,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":968},"0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-370x208.png",{"file":970,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":971},"0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-768x432.png",{"file":973,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":974},"0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-150x150.png",{"file":970,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":971},{"file":977,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":978},"0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-1536x864.png",{"file":980,"width":981,"height":982,"mime-type":152,"source_url":983},"0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-2048x1152.png","2048","1152","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":987,"related_posts_footer":990,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":994},[988,989],24761,52203,[991,992,993],54593,54559,54533,[995,997,999],{"title":996},"\u003Cp>As digital health and medical AI develop with amazing speed, an increasing amount of sensitive health data is being generated thanks to these new methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":998},"\u003Cp>This ever-growing volume of data brings new privacy and security challenges at various levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1000},"\u003Cp>On one hand, we need to use this data to achieve better care and quality of life. On the other hand, we must do so consciously, ensuring that external actors cannot exploit or profit from our data without our knowledge and consent\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1002,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1003,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":890},"Hackers, Breaches And The Value Of Health Data: Privacy in Digital Health","There is no digital health without sacrificing some of our privacy. The key is to control this process and protect what's valuable.",{"self":1005,"collection":1010,"about":1012,"author":1014,"replies":1016,"version-history":1019,"predecessor-version":1023,"wp:featuredmedia":1027,"wp:attachment":1030,"wp:term":1033,"curies":1044},[1006],{"href":1007,"targetHints":1008},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F30339",{"allow":1009},[27],[1011],{"href":214},[1013],{"href":217},[1015],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[1017],{"embeddable":41,"href":1018},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=30339",[1020],{"count":1021,"href":1022},59,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F30339\u002Frevisions",[1024],{"id":1025,"href":1026},54803,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F30339\u002Frevisions\u002F54803",[1028],{"embeddable":41,"href":1029},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F47062",[1031],{"href":1032},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=30339",[1034,1036,1038,1040,1042],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1035},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=30339",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1037},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=30339",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1039},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=30339",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1041},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=30339",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1043},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=30339",[1045],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1047,"date":1048,"date_gmt":1049,"guid":1050,"modified":1052,"modified_gmt":1053,"slug":1054,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1055,"title":1056,"content":1058,"excerpt":1060,"author":413,"featured_media":1062,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1063,"categories":1064,"tags":1065,"project_category":1080,"contact_email_category":1081,"yst_prominent_words":1082,"class_list":1086,"better_featured_image":1102,"acf":1122,"yoast_meta":1135,"_links":1138},35019,"2023-11-09T10:00:00","2023-11-09T09:00:00",{"rendered":1051},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=35019&_wpnonce=d9644f8253&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-11-06T17:25:11","2023-11-06T16:25:11","microsoft-in-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmicrosoft-in-healthcare",{"rendered":1057},"Microsoft’s Multi-Tenbillion Dollar Bet On Healthcare",{"rendered":1059,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>When considering major tech companies’ forays into healthcare, Microsoft might not be the first — or even the second or third — name that comes to mind. Google? Sure! Amazon? Of course! Besides these quite “loud” competitors, Microsoft’s healthcare involvement may seem more subdued. Nonetheless, their contributions are neither insignificant nor unsuccessful. Perhaps less visibly, the company is steadily working to carve out its place in the future of medicine, focusing on areas that align with its traditional strengths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For long, Microsoft and Apple have fiercely battled it out in the home computer space. They are still competitors in that field, but their competition has extended to the healthcare space. However, their approach (and success) significantly differ.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While Apple was turning its Apple Watch \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">into a point-of-care device\u003C\u002Fa>, Microsoft seemed more focused on the enterprise side rather than the consumer side. In the past few years, the company \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.beckershospitalreview.com\u002Fhealthcare-information-technology\u002Fmicrosoft-extends-reach-into-healthcare-13-things-to-know.html\" target=\"_blank\">strengthened its healthcare-related partnerships\u003C\u002Fa> with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmicrosofts-azure-openai-service-integrated-mercys-offerings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">healthcare organisations\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fresearch\u002Fblog\u002Fbiomedical-research-platform-terra-now-available-on-microsoft-azure\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">research institutes\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"ebook-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"ebook-block-backdrop backdrop-blur\" id=\"modal-backdrop-ebook-block_ba11c6aea3240447309f263b831afbb0\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cinput style=\"display: none\" id=\"modal-ebook-block_ba11c6aea3240447309f263b831afbb0\"\n       value=\"{"featured":{"ID":24761,"post_author":"10","post_date":"2023-11-01 15:46:07","post_date_gmt":"2023-11-01 14:46:07","post_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\\n<p>This comprehensive guide, Tech Giants in Healthcare, clarifies how and why big tech companies step into healthcare, and breaks it down from one market player to the other in what direction they are going, what tools they are using and what horizons they have in front of them.<\\\u002Fp>\\n<!-- \\\u002Fwp:paragraph -->","post_title":"Tech Giants in Healthcare - Updated Edition","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tech-giants-in-healthcare","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-01 15:46:17","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-01 14:46:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002F?post_type=book&p=24761","menu_order":14,"post_type":"book","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","featured_image":["https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F05\\\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-1.png",700,906,false],"leanpub_url":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fleanpub.com\\\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare","preview":[{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F05\\\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-10-01.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F05\\\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-10-02.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F05\\\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-10-03.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F05\\\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-10-04.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F05\\\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-10-05.png"},{"image":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\\\u002Fwp-content\\\u002Fuploads\\\u002F2020\\\u002F05\\\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-10-06.png"}],"buy_button_text":"Get it on Leanpub"},"others":[]}\"\u002F>\n\u003Cdiv id=\"ebook-block_ba11c6aea3240447309f263b831afbb0\" class=\"ebook\">\n    \u003Cdiv class=\"ebook-block h-100\">\n        \u003Cdiv class=\"container h-100\">\n            \u003Cdiv class=\"article-body h-100\">\n                \u003Cdiv class=\"row h-100 align-items-center\">\n                    \u003Cdiv class=\"col-md-5 pr-md-5 mb-4 mb-md-0\">\n                        \u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F1031_techgiants_2023-5-1-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"img-fluid\">\n                    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n                    \u003Cdiv class=\"col-md-7 pl-md-3\">\n                        \u003Ch3>Tech Giants in Healthcare – Updated Edition\u003C\u002Fh3>\n                        \u003C!-- wp:paragraph -->\n\u003Cp>This comprehensive guide, Tech Giants in Healthcare, clarifies how and why big tech companies step into healthcare, and breaks it down from one market player to the other in what direction they are going, what tools they are using and what horizons they have in front of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C!-- \u002Fwp:paragraph -->                        \u003Cbutton data-target=\"modal-ebook-block_ba11c6aea3240447309f263b831afbb0\"\n                                class=\"ebook-block-button btn btn-lg font-weight-bold btn-tmf-blue mt-3\">\n                            Start Reading Now\n                        \u003C\u002Fbutton>\n                    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n                \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n            \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n        \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making the right calls\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2019, when Microsoft disclosed its one-billion-dollar \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Farticle\u002Fus-microsoft-openai-idUSKCN1UH1H9\" target=\"_blank\">exclusive partnership with the then relatively obscure OpenAI\u003C\u002Fa>, it scarcely made waves. While there was \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fmohanbirsawhney\u002F2019\u002F07\u002F24\u002Fthe-real-reasons-microsoft-invested-in-openai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">some speculation\u003C\u002Fa> about the deal’s implications and its significance, it had limited global interest. Fast forward a few years, add another 10 billion dollars, and a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2023\u002F1\u002F23\u002F23567448\u002Fmicrosoft-openai-partnership-extension-ai\" target=\"_blank\">very different level of public interest\u003C\u002Fa>. Of course, the latter came after public access to ChatGPT was launched, and OpenAI suddenly became a household name. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another development in 2021 caused a bigger stir: the tech giant \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fmicrosoft-dollar16-billion-entry-health-care-ai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">announced its acquisition\u003C\u002Fa> of AI-powered speech-technology company Nuance. The deal \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2021\u002F04\u002F12\u002Ftech\u002Fmicrosoft-nuance\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">amounted to $16 billion\u003C\u002Fa> (excluding debt); at the time making it Microsoft’s second-biggest acquisition ever, following its \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cmswire.com\u002Fdigital-workplace\u002Fmicrosofts-interest-in-nuance-is-more-than-just-cloud\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">$26.2 billion purchase of LinkedIn\u003C\u002Fa>. (The company had even bigger buys since then, unrelated to healthcare.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the clinical setting, Nuance’s software essentially works as a medical scribe. It can listen and transcribe doctor-patient conversations into organised medical notes. What sets Nuance’s healthcare solution apart from other voice assistants is that the company developed its AI to decipher the intricacies of such clinical conversations. “\u003Cem>That process of getting the system, the AI engine, to understand the medical jargon that’s important and difficult—I think that’s the real gem\u003C\u002Fem>,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fmicrosoft-dollar16-billion-entry-health-care-ai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">said Gregg Pessin\u003C\u002Fa>. He also added that the deal provides Microsoft with “\u003Cem>an entry point into the healthcare industry, and a huge customer base already running this stuff\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F106_Voice-to-text-technologies-in-medicine-768x432.gif\" alt=\"voice to text technologies\" class=\"wp-image-24827\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F106_Voice-to-text-technologies-in-medicine-768x432.gif 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F106_Voice-to-text-technologies-in-medicine-370x208.gif 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F106_Voice-to-text-technologies-in-medicine-1536x864.gif 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F106_Voice-to-text-technologies-in-medicine-2048x1152.gif 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F09\u002F106_Voice-to-text-technologies-in-medicine-512x288.gif 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even if Nuance is not exactly a health-focused company, as it powers other products like Apple’s Siri, it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwinbuzzer.com\u002F2021\u002F06\u002F21\u002Fmicrosoft-cloud-for-healthcare-is-driving-a-new-era-of-medical-connection-xcxwbn\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">generates over 65% of its revenue\u003C\u002Fa> from the healthcare industry. Globally, hundreds of thousands of clinicians and tens of thousands of healthcare organizations use Nuance’s voice transcription technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These two strategic investments converged in March 2023, when Microsoft announced that it would add GPT-4 into its Nuance Dragon Ambient Intelligence (DAX) platform, which is used by hospitals around the US to ease doctor workloads by using AI to listen to patient-provider conversations and write medical visit notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This was not the only exciting \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Finsights-about-generative-ai-in-healthcare-from-400-healthcare-leaders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">generative AI-related\u003C\u002Fa> announcement this year: Epic Systems also declared that they are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.modernhealthcare.com\u002Fdigital-health\u002Fhimss-2023-epic-microsoft-bring-openais-gpt-4-ehrs\" target=\"_blank\">working with Microsoft to integrate generative AI\u003C\u002Fa> technology into its electronic health record software for the first time. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“There are two initial AI-enabled solutions developed in the first iteration of the integration. The first use case occurs through In Basket, allowing clinicians to use generative AI to create a draft response when communicating asynchronously with patients. The second use case allows providers to use AI to source recommendations from Slicer Dicer, our data visualisation tool, where the system will automatically recommend different metrics based on search criteria.” – \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.epic.com\u002Fepic\u002Fpost\u002Fepic-and-microsoft-bring-gpt-4-to-ehrs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Epic’s statement said\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A few months later, in August 2023 \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.microsoft.com\u002Fblog\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F22\u002Fmicrosoft-and-epic-expand-ai-collaboration-to-accelerate-generative-ais-impact-in-healthcare-addressing-the-industrys-most-pressing-needs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the two parties announced\u003C\u002Fa> the expansion of this collaboration, showing yet more convergence between various Microsoft ventures: “Epic will showcase this DAX Express AI technology embedded into the native Epic Hyperdrive platform and Haiku mobile application, further enhancing a seamless workflow experience for users.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the technology under its umbrella, Microsoft can further integrate it with its cloud services for healthcare. The software behemoth’s CEO, Satya Nadella, even said that with this acquisition they will help provide professionals everywhere to use advanced AI solutions for better decision-making and create more meaningful connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI outside the GPT realm\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These were not the only avenues Microsoft discovered in the past few years in the artificial intelligence field. Researchers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital trained the AI program with Microsoft, which can help doctors calculate \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Fhealth-65988768\" target=\"_blank\">where to direct the therapeutic radiation beams\u003C\u002Fa>, to kill cancerous cells while sparing as many healthy ones as possible. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s such a great practical example of how AI can contribute to the well-being of patients. “For each patient, doctors typically spend between 25 minutes and two hours working through about 100 scan cross-sections, carefully “contouring” or outlining bones and organs. But the AI program works two and a half times quicker.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Healthcare in the cloud\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“\u003Cem>Some of the longest-standing challenges are around disconnectedness of data, the disconnectedness of care teams, and frankly disconnectedness of patients to their own care\u003C\u002Fem>,” \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-big-plans-for-healthcare-and-its-taking-a-different-path-to-the-rest-of-big-tech\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">said Tom McGuinness\u003C\u002Fa>, corporate VP of global healthcare & life sciences at Microsoft. The connection seems key for the company’s healthcare goals and it has been pushing forward \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcloud-gaming-can-bring-artificial-intelligence-to-the-doctors-office\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">cloud computing\u003C\u002Fa> as a solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In October 2021, Microsoft \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercehealthcare.com\u002Ftech\u002Fmicrosoft-makes-big-play-for-healthcare-cloud-business-competition-google-amazon\" target=\"_blank\">launched Cloud for Healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>, a new, healthcare-centric cloud. It integrates the company’s existing services like Microsoft Teams, Azure IoT and its  Healthcare Bot. These tools aim to assist with collaboration among staff and carry out telemedicine consultations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F219_tmf-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"cloud gaming and cloud hospitals\" class=\"wp-image-31025\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F219_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F219_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F219_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F219_tmf-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Leveraging this new cloud service is a collaboration \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercehealthcare.com\u002Ftech\u002Fmicrosoft-updates-cloud-for-healthcare-new-virtual-health-patient-monitoring-features\" target=\"_blank\">announced in 2021\u003C\u002Fa> between Mary Washington Health System and Microsoft partner Avtex. They are building a solution to digitally and more effectively connect providers with patients with cancelled or postponed elective procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Healthcare provider Bupa also announced its adoption of Microsoft’s cloud services. More specifically, the provider \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyrecord.com\u002FArticle\u002Fbupa-drives-digital-healthcare-with-microsoft-azure-124495\" target=\"_blank\">announced in mid-June 2021\u003C\u002Fa> that it intends to use Microsoft Azure services to better attend to the digital needs of employees and customers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cautiously stepping into healthcare\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the notable acquisition of Nuance, Microsoft’s moves in healthcare have been mostly cautious in recent years. This is because the company likely doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes and be more effective in its healthcare investments. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Unlike Apple, Microsoft’s wearable plans didn’t really work well and it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002Fcircuitbreaker\u002F2016\u002F10\u002F3\u002F13152590\u002Fmicrosoft-band-discontinued\" target=\"_blank\">discontinued the Microsoft band fitness tracker\u003C\u002Fa> in 2016. In 2019, it also \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F04\u002Fmicrosoft-healthvault-is-officially-shutting-down-in-november\u002F?rf=1\" target=\"_blank\">pulled the plug on HealthVault\u003C\u002Fa>, its online personal health record system which was launched in 2007. It \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-big-plans-for-healthcare-and-its-taking-a-different-path-to-the-rest-of-big-tech\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">also pulled out\u003C\u002Fa> of another project, Healthcare NeXT, in 2017. The latter aimed to accelerate innovation in healthcare through artificial intelligence and cloud computing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learning from these setbacks, Microsoft appears to be currently concentrating on cloud computing, AI, and the more efficient integration of healthcare data. In subsequent years, we haven’t heard the tech giant fail big in healthcare; likely thanks to its cautious approach. But now with all those AI solutions at its disposal, we can expect it to leverage its potential further in the near future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This article is a part of our series \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-healthcare-power-ranking-of-tech-giants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tech Giants In Healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Famazon-in-healthcare-disruption-data-nightmares-and-digital-health-dreams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon In Healthcare: Disruption, Data Nightmares And Digital Health Dreams\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-masterplan-for-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">Google’s Masterplan for Healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fibm-in-healthcare-2021\" target=\"_blank\">IBM’s Moonshot Ambition in Medicine\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fapple-in-healthcare-2021\" target=\"_blank\">Is Apple Going Into Healthcare?\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Take a deeper dive into what these companies aim for in medicine with our e-book, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tech Giants In Healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1061,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Microsoft in healthcare: the company’s multi-billion dollar bet on artificial intelligence-based solutions in medicine starts paying off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",35453,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,637,70,417,525,5],[1066,1067,920,1068,1069,284,1070,1071,76,1072,1073,1074,1075,1076,1077,1078,1079],7299,7301,7303,5039,7305,6313,7307,6733,7289,7291,7293,7295,569,7297,[89,657,90,91],[],[1083,1084,531,1085,102,532,665],2935,4363,1715,[1087,53,109,110,111,112,113,114,669,116,427,537,117,1088,1089,955,1090,1091,311,1092,1093,122,1094,1095,1096,1097,1098,1099,1100,1101,134,687,135,136],"post-35019","tag-avtex","tag-bupa","tag-microsoft-azure","tag-tech-giants","tag-nuance","tag-cloud","tag-transcription","tag-cloud-computing","tag-satya-nadella","tag-tom-mcguinness","tag-apple-amazon","tag-gregg-pessin","tag-microsoft","tag-gartner",{"id":1062,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1103,"media_type":142,"media_details":1104,"post":1047,"source_url":1121},"Microsoft's 16-billion Dollar Bet On Healthcare",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":1105,"sizes":1106,"image_meta":1120},"2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01.png",{"medium":1107,"large":1110,"thumbnail":1113,"medium_large":1116,"1536x1536":1117},{"file":1108,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1109},"tmf_article_283-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-370x208.png",{"file":1111,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1112},"tmf_article_283-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-768x432.png",{"file":1114,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1115},"tmf_article_283-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-150x150.png",{"file":1111,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1112},{"file":1118,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1119},"tmf_article_283-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1123,"related_posts_footer":1124,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":1128},[988,711],[1125,1126,1127],33769,34813,20749,[1129,1131,1133],{"title":1130},"\u003Cp>Microsoft’s engagement in healthcare is understated yet significant, focusing on leveraging AI and cloud computing to enhance medical practices and patient care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1132},"\u003Cp>Strategic investments like the acquisition of Nuance and partnerships with OpenAI highlight Microsoft’s commitment to integrating advanced AI in healthcare, despite initially subdued public reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1134},"\u003Cp>Microsoft’s cautious approach in healthcare technology, learning from past setbacks, concentrates on areas like cloud services and AI to improve data connectivity and decision-making in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1136,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1137,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1055},"Microsoft's Multi-Tenbillion Dollar Bet On Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","Microsoft in healthcare: the company's multi-billion dollar bet on artificial intelligence-based solutions in medicine starts paying off.",{"self":1139,"collection":1144,"about":1146,"author":1148,"replies":1150,"version-history":1153,"predecessor-version":1157,"wp:featuredmedia":1161,"wp:attachment":1164,"wp:term":1167,"curies":1178},[1140],{"href":1141,"targetHints":1142},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F35019",{"allow":1143},[27],[1145],{"href":214},[1147],{"href":217},[1149],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[1151],{"embeddable":41,"href":1152},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=35019",[1154],{"count":1155,"href":1156},33,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F35019\u002Frevisions",[1158],{"id":1159,"href":1160},53451,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F35019\u002Frevisions\u002F53451",[1162],{"embeddable":41,"href":1163},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F35453",[1165],{"href":1166},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=35019",[1168,1170,1172,1174,1176],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1169},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=35019",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1171},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=35019",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1173},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=35019",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1175},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=35019",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1177},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=35019",[1179],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1127,"date":1181,"date_gmt":1182,"guid":1183,"modified":1185,"modified_gmt":1186,"slug":1187,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1188,"title":1189,"content":1191,"excerpt":1193,"author":61,"featured_media":1195,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1196,"categories":1197,"tags":1199,"project_category":1211,"contact_email_category":1212,"yst_prominent_words":1213,"class_list":1216,"better_featured_image":1230,"acf":1251,"yoast_meta":1264,"_links":1267},"2023-10-26T10:00:00","2023-10-26T08:00:00",{"rendered":1184},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=20749","2023-10-24T20:08:44","2023-10-24T18:08:44","googles-masterplan-for-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-masterplan-for-healthcare",{"rendered":1190},"Google’s Masterplan For Healthcare",{"rendered":1192,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\u003Cp>With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.telegraph.co.uk\u002Ftechnology\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F10\u002Fgoogle-sifting-one-billion-health-questions-day\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">7% of Google searches\u003C\u002Fa> – or 70,000 per minute – being health-related a good number of years ago, it was only a matter of time before the search giant aimed to be a healthcare giant. Google hasn’t been particularly shy at expressing these ambitions: it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-acquisition-of-fitbit-boon-or-doom-for-the-fitness-tracking-industry\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">purchased Fitbit for $2.1 billion\u003C\u002Fa> and has a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeepmind.com\u002Fblog\u002Fannouncements\u002Fdeepmind-health-joins-google-health\" target=\"_blank\">dedicated healthcare offshoot\u003C\u002Fa> from its AI branch, Deepmind. It is also the first company that publicly announced the development of a dedicated healthcare-specified AI model, called Med-PaLM. And as the variety of listed solutions on the \u003Ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.google\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Google Health page\u003C\u002Fa> shows, the company has something to offer to everyone, from patients and caregivers to communities, and researchers.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this series exploring the latest moves by tech giants into healthcare, we recently analysed \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Famazon-in-healthcare-disruption-data-nightmares-and-digital-health-dreams\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon\u003C\u002Fa> and provided insights into the trends they are adopting. For now, let’s turn our focus on Google’s plan for the future of healthcare. Of note, we will treat Google, Alphabet, and Verily under the same umbrella. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI here, AI there, AI everywhere\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Google is probably best known for the algorithmic prowess of its search engine. But since it acquired DeepMind, it has intended to expand this expertise elsewhere, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeepmind.com\u002Fblog\u002Fannouncements\u002Fdeepmind-health-joins-google-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">including healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. And its efforts are showing promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In August 2020, they \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fai.googleblog.com\u002F2020\u002F08\u002Fusing-machine-learning-to-detect.html\" target=\"_blank\">introduced C2D2\u003C\u002Fa>, a machine learning-based approach to improving colonoscopy screening. In the ensuing months, Google further put its AI as well as cloud computing expertise to use in new partnerships. In 2021, HCA Healthcare and Alphabet’s Google Cloud \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2021\u002F05\u002F26\u002Fjim-cramer-googles-new-health-care-venture-is-reason-to-buy-alphabet.html\" target=\"_blank\">announced a collaboration\u003C\u002Fa> to develop algorithms to mine insights into patient records from the provider to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also launched in 2020, Google’s mammography AI system starts bringing in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fgoogle-health-expands-ai-powered-breast-cancer-screenings-integration\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tangible results\u003C\u002Fa> by now. Recent studies show that using AI to support radiologists in breast cancer screening \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fai-can-conduct-breast-cancer-screenings-in-less-time-than-humans-but-just-as-well-study-finds\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">can significantly reduce screen reading workload\u003C\u002Fa> with comparable cancer detection efficiency as standard double-reading. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But of course, in 2023 all eyes are on \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgenerative-ai-explained-its-impact-and-future-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">generative AI\u003C\u002Fa>. While Google may have seemed a little quiet during the ChatGPT craze, the company has set its focus on developing specialized models, like Med-PaLM, a large language model \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedpalm-new-ai-medical-chatbots-will-soon-be-better-than-waiting-for-a-doctor\u002F\">specifically designed to work in healthcare settings\u003C\u002Fa> and showing jaw-dropping \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002F3Ud-BMOCkDI?si=w2aSDr_uykaMzz8x&t=279\" target=\"_blank\">improvements in accuracy\u003C\u002Fa> in its new, Med-PaLM 2 iteration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png\" alt=\"AI medical coding doctor, hospital, clinic, man, laptop, computer\" class=\"wp-image-51069\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The model was not released to the general public. In the first round, it was accessible to Google Cloud customers in the healthcare and life sciences segment, such as HCA Healthcare, Mayo Clinic and Meditech. A while ago Google announced they are expanding this access to a\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcaredive.com\u002Fnews\u002Fgoogle-med-palm-ai-expansion-healthcare\u002F691677\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> wider circle of healthcare players\u003C\u002Fa>.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In October 2023 Google also revealed a new \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercehealthcare.com\u002Fhealth-tech\u002Fhlth23-google-cloud-rolls-out-new-generative-ai-search-tools-doctors-life-sciences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI-powered search tool designed for doctors and nurses\u003C\u002Fa>. According to the company, the medically-tuned generative AI-powered search is able to mine various data sources, including FHIR data, patients’ clinical notes, and other medical information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While Med-PaLM currently seems to be the most advanced of large language models in terms of healthcare accuracy, Google faces stiff competition. Microsoft, for instance, has secured its place in clinics with Nuance’s Dax and Dragon AI systems, tools used by hundreds of thousands of US doctors. When it comes to the cloud market, Google ranks fourth, trailing Amazon, Microsoft, and Alibaba. Nevertheless, the generative AI in healthcare race is still wide open, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fkatiejennings\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F29\u002Fgoogle-healthcare-generative-ai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google has lots of tricks\u003C\u002Fa> in its sleeves.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Google in the cloud\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Maybe not the largest player in the cloud market, but Google has promising initiatives, like this one,\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fgoogle-cloud-teams-carecloud-bring-generative-ai-small-practices\" target=\"_blank\"> lending much-needed processing power to smaller healthcare practices\u003C\u002Fa>. We already \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcloud-gaming-can-bring-artificial-intelligence-to-the-doctors-office\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">discussed in great detail\u003C\u002Fa> how smaller healthcare entities will need cloud solutions to access advanced AI features as they won’t have the means to invest in cutting-edge hardware that is able to run state-of-the-art algorithms. Instead of expensive hardware upgrades, the processing power is handled remotely, thus physicians can ask complex clinical questions and gain deeper insights, with evidence-based recommendations derived from analysing datasets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_362_AI_doctor_robot-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50863\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_362_AI_doctor_robot-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_362_AI_doctor_robot-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_362_AI_doctor_robot-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_362_AI_doctor_robot.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fgoogle-cloud-teams-carecloud-bring-generative-ai-small-practices\" target=\"_blank\">Google-CareCloud cooperation\u003C\u002Fa> does exactly that: “By using Google’s offerings such as Vertex AI and Generative AI App Builder, the company is developing tools to bring physicians at smaller practices the same AI-enabled capabilities that are increasingly available at large hospitals and health systems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research endeavours\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As it carried out research with its AI algorithms in healthcare, Google seems to have grown interested in broader, population-level medical research. In 2020, the tech giant launched Google Health Studies, an app dedicated to medical research. It allows any user to participate by reporting their symptoms, the steps they are taking to prevent getting ill, and if they’ve had relevant tests. Their first study was focusing on respiratory diseases like the flu and COVID-19.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This approach can help provide researchers with more relevant patient data and from a larger pool. But it also raises privacy concerns over the handling of such data. Also, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Fdetails?id=com.google.android.apps.health.research.studies&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1\" target=\"_blank\">recent user reviews\u003C\u002Fa> are very far from enthusiastic. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, Google seems determined to move forward with medical research. They \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Fverily-taps-former-fda-deputy-commissioner-abernethy-to-lead-clinical-research-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">appointed Dr. Amy Abernethy\u003C\u002Fa>, the FDA’s former principal deputy commissioner, as president of its Verily branch’s clinical research business in 2021. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Famyabernethy\u002Frecent-activity\u002Fall\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">She leads the development of a platform for clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa> and real-world evidence studies; as well as oversees Verily’s ongoing clinical research projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Point-of-care technologies projects\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Just like Apple has a strong focus on turning patients into the point of care, Google is working on similar projects. In March 2021, Verily \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercehealthcare.com\u002Fpayer\u002Falphabet-s-verily-joins-highmark-google-cloud-project-living-health\" target=\"_blank\">announced its partnership\u003C\u002Fa> with Highmark Health for the Living Health Initiative. The latter aims to redesign healthcare delivery with a focus on patients. This collaboration will employ Verily’s digitally-enabled tools for personalized chronic care management of conditions like congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_357-768x432.png\" alt=\"TMF, medical student, AI, doctor, data, computer\" class=\"wp-image-50547\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_357-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_357-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_357-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_357-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_357.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In a rather unexpected move, Google decided to revisit a healthcare area it previously failed to pierce into: health records. In April 2021, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2021\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fgoogle-health-records-app-care-studio\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Stat News\u003C\u002Fem> reported\u003C\u002Fa> that the tech giant is working on \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcaredive.com\u002Fnews\u002Fgoogle-user-testing-personal-health-record\u002F636667\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a consumer-facing medical records tool\u003C\u002Fa> to make it easier for patients to see, organise, and share their health data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The move was rather unexpected because the company already had a similar venture that was \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2021\u002F4\u002F12\u002F22379846\u002Fgoogle-health-record-data-app-android\" target=\"_blank\">shut down in 2012\u003C\u002Fa>. Again, this is a field that has multiple tech companies’ interest, for example, Apple has been working on the electronic medical records-health app integration \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.informationweek.com\u002Fit-leadership\u002Fapple-partners-with-epic-mayo-clinic-for-healthkit\" target=\"_blank\">for a few years\u003C\u002Fa>, with mixed results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regulatory setback and refocus \u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Like its competitors, Google has also faced some setbacks in the past few years. The FDA \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcaredive.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-rejects-verily-filing-for-wrist-worn-parkinsons-clinical-trial-device-google\u002F602015\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rejected Verily’s request\u003C\u002Fa> to use its wearable in a clinical trial to monitor alterations in motor symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s. The regulatory body \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcaredive.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-rejects-verily-filing-for-wrist-worn-parkinsons-clinical-trial-device-google\u002F602015\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">did clear Verily’s device\u003C\u002Fa> to monitor ECG and irregular pulse but rejected the request for this new feature. FDA \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcaredive.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffda-rejects-verily-filing-for-wrist-worn-parkinsons-clinical-trial-device-google\u002F602015\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said that\u003C\u002Fa> the device and associated motor examination “are limited in their capacity to evaluate meaningful aspects of concepts of interest that are relevant to the patients’ ability to function in day-to-day life.” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Business Insider \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.businessinsider.com\u002Fgoogle-health-splitting-reorganization-sending-employees-fitbit-search-2021-6?r=US&IR=T\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">released an exclusive report\u003C\u002Fa> in 2021 detailing how the company has moved Google Health employees to other groups within the company. The Google Health branch will no longer focus on consumer tech, as this is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fgoogle-downsizes-health-division-reorganizes-consumer-health-team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mainly driven by the Fitbit team\u003C\u002Fa>. With Google revisiting old projects, refocusing its health team’s efforts and announcing new partnerships, it seems like the tech giant’s healthcare plans are all over the place. But this might be because Google indeed wants to be everywhere in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the latest developments indicate that the most promising avenues for the company are AI, remote monitoring software, and cloud computing. But Google is also notorious for pulling the plug on even the most ambitious projects of its projects. The \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkilledbygoogle.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Google Graveyard\u003C\u002Fa> is a testament to that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So, it’s safe to say that we shouldn’t get too attached to a project set forth by Google, even if it could revolutionise healthcare. But we can expect the tech giant to keep branching out in various areas of healthcare as it aims to have a strong foothold on the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n",{"rendered":1194,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>AI for medical use, cloud services for healthcare practices, apps for research – Google is everywhere in the digital health field. But the competition is fierce, and the race is still wide open. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",35327,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,637,70,783,1198,417,640,5],488,[1200,1201,1202,77,920,284,1203,1204,1205,1206,75,1207,1208,907,906,1209,1210,76],289,373,806,924,144,936,207,260,262,7279,531,[89,90,92],[],[531,102,662,1214,532,665,1215,1083,97,660],1797,2351,[1217,53,109,110,111,112,113,114,669,116,793,1218,427,672,117,1219,1220,1221,123,955,311,1222,1223,1224,1225,121,1226,1227,942,941,1228,1229,122,134,135,137],"post-20749","category-genomics","tag-innovation","tag-research","tag-tech","tag-longevity","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-verily","tag-digital-health","tag-genetics","tag-genomics","tag-alphabet","tag-google-deepmind",{"id":1195,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1231,"media_type":142,"media_details":1232,"post":1249,"source_url":1250},"Google’s Masterplan for Healthcare",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":1233,"sizes":1234,"image_meta":1248},"2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02.png",{"medium":1235,"large":1238,"thumbnail":1241,"medium_large":1244,"1536x1536":1245},{"file":1236,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1237},"tmf_article_281-02-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-370x208.png",{"file":1239,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1240},"tmf_article_281-02-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-768x432.png",{"file":1242,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1243},"tmf_article_281-02-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-150x150.png",{"file":1239,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1240},{"file":1246,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1247},"tmf_article_281-02-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},34907,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1252,"subtitle":64,"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1256,"key_takeaways":1257},[1253,1254,1255],52901,42091,47151,[988,342],[1258,1260,1262],{"title":1259},"\u003Cp>Google is intensifying its focus on healthcare, leveraging its AI capabilities, with significant advancements like the Med-PaLM model and a new AI-powered search tool specifically designed for medical professionals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1261},"\u003Cp>Despite its efforts, Google faces stiff competition in multiple healthcare segments, preventing it from being unequivocally declared as the leader in any specific area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":1263},"\u003Cp>Google’s track record of discontinuing projects warrants caution, suggesting that while its ambitions are vast, not all ventures may have enduring impacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":1265,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1266,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1188},"Google's Masterplan For Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","Google in healthcare: with about 70,000 health-related searches per minute, the tech giant knows what people want. And it's ready to give them.",{"self":1268,"collection":1273,"about":1275,"author":1277,"replies":1279,"version-history":1282,"predecessor-version":1286,"wp:featuredmedia":1290,"wp:attachment":1293,"wp:term":1296,"curies":1307},[1269],{"href":1270,"targetHints":1271},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20749",{"allow":1272},[27],[1274],{"href":214},[1276],{"href":217},[1278],{"embeddable":41,"href":220},[1280],{"embeddable":41,"href":1281},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=20749",[1283],{"count":1284,"href":1285},50,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20749\u002Frevisions",[1287],{"id":1288,"href":1289},53147,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20749\u002Frevisions\u002F53147",[1291],{"embeddable":41,"href":1292},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F35327",[1294],{"href":1295},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=20749",[1297,1299,1301,1303,1305],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1298},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=20749",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1300},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=20749",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1302},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=20749",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1304},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=20749",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1306},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=20749",[1308],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1310,"date":1311,"date_gmt":1312,"guid":1313,"modified":1315,"modified_gmt":1316,"slug":1317,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1318,"title":1319,"content":1321,"excerpt":1323,"author":413,"featured_media":1325,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1326,"categories":1327,"tags":1329,"project_category":1345,"contact_email_category":1346,"yst_prominent_words":1347,"class_list":1353,"better_featured_image":1371,"acf":1393,"yoast_meta":1398,"_links":1400},32095,"2023-06-20T10:00:00","2023-06-20T08:00:00",{"rendered":1314},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=32095&_wpnonce=36ee9e13a7&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-06-20T08:52:09","2023-06-20T06:52:09","cyberthreats-to-hospitals-2021","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcyberthreats-to-hospitals-2021",{"rendered":1320},"How Do They Hack Hospitals? – Cyberthreats In The Digital Health Era",{"rendered":1322,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>While we were battling the COVID-19 virus in 2020, other infections were also happening, albeit in other, digital systems. We are, of course, talking about cyberattacks. These involve digital viruses infecting IT systems and disrupting potentially life-saving processes until after paying a ransom. No honour among thieves, goes the saying; not even during a pandemic. Indeed, as global technology company Acronis noted, there was \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Feurope\u002Fcyber-attacks-healthcare-facilities-growing-threat-during-coronavirus-pandemic\" target=\"_blank\">a rise in ransomware cases\u003C\u002Fa> at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From 2016 to 2021, the annual number of ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations more than doubled from 43 to 91, exposing the personal health information of nearly 42 million patients – a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC9856685\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">cohort study of 374 ransomware attacks revealed\u003C\u002Fa>. Almost half of ransomware attacks disrupted the delivery of healthcare, the most common problems including electronic system downtime, cancellations of scheduled care, and ambulance diversion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fighting back by decrypting ransomware \u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If we visit the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fcategory\u002Fhealthcare-cybersecurity\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">HIPAA cybersecurity page\u003C\u002Fa> we are inundated with news reports about such cases. And while these seem to increasingly target large healthcare organizations, they can be \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fransomware-attack-key-factor-in-decision-to-close-rural-illinois-hospital\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">devastating\u003C\u002Fa> for small clinics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, there is an \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-one-ohio-hospital-decrypted-lockbit-ransomware\" target=\"_blank\">exciting new development\u003C\u002Fa> in fighting these attacks. An unnamed 240-bed Ohio hospital fell victim to cybercriminals who managed to breach its network and encrypt critical systems, including the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, patient scheduling services, and domain controllers governing in-suite systems and medical devices. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_351-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48997\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_351-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_351-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_351-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_351-01.png 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002F5079343.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net\u002Fhubfs\u002F5079343\u002FDownloadables\u002FNubeva%20Ransomware%20Reversal%20Healthcare%20Case%20Study.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Cyberattacks like this\u003C\u002Fa> cause disturbances and emergency situations in hospitals on a regional level, where suddenly everyone faces increased wait times and overwhelmed emergency departments (ED). \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nubeva.com\u002Fresources\u002Flockbit-ransomware-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">this case study\u003C\u002Fa> from Nubeva, using their LockBit decrypting tool “the hospital successfully reversed the encryption and restored critical systems quickly. This led to minimized downtime and a swift return to normal operations. (…)  the intervention reduced data loss and eliminated the need for a costly ransom payment, resulting in significant financial savings for the hospital.” According to Nubeva, the hospital was able to reduce recovery time to 4 days from an average of 21 days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Discussion about cyberthreats is and will increasingly be crucial in the medical field so as to better address and prevent them. This issue is particularly concerning as the world is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fasynchronous-telemedicine-is-coming-and-here-is-why-its-the-future-of-remote-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">increasingly turning to digital solutions\u003C\u002Fa> to address capacity shortages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, these discussions should not revolve only around strengthening the IT infrastructure with anti-malware. This won’t cut it as, in addition to the technological component, there’s very much a social component in hacking into healthcare facilities. Let’s decrypt how this is the case, and consider additional measures that all of us can take to further secure our healthcare institutions and their precious data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The larger trend in ransomware in healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ransomware “infections” happen not through pathogens but rather by hackers. The latter infect IT systems with malwares or digital viruses to encrypt crucial files. These paralyse whole infrastructures as that information is inaccessible until after paying the required demands, usually through cryptocurrency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such cyberattacks on hospitals were commonplace well before the pandemic. One of the high-profile ones happened back in 2017 with the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-nhs-ransomware-attack-data-privacy-in-digital-health-part-one\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">WannaCry attacks\u003C\u002Fa> on 61 NHS institutions. It led to the cancellation of operations and clinical appointments, loss of internet connection in hospitals and diverted patients from emergency departments even one week after the incident. But the trend persisted in the following years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some of these cyberthreats could have long-term consequences. One example is that of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fransomware-attack-leaves-5-years-patient-records-inaccessible-co-hospital\" target=\"_blank\">ransomware attack\u003C\u002Fa> on Rangely District Hospital, a nonprofit critical access hospital. It left 5 years of patient records inaccessible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And it’s not just cases that have been on the rise but the demands as well. According to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fhealthcare-cybersecurity\u002F\">these HIPAA\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fhealthcare-cybersecurity\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> statistics\u003C\u002Fa>, in 2021, the average ransomware payment in the healthcare industry was $197,000, an increase of 33% from 2020. Similarly, antivirus firm Emsisoft \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fransomware-hospitals-ryuk-trickbot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">found that\u003C\u002Fa> average ransomware demands increased from about $5,000 in 2018 to about $200,000; with demands for multimillion-dollar ransoms becoming more and more common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As these concerning trends amplify, management of healthcare institutions should better equip themselves to avert cybercrime. And for that, we have to understand that it does not only rely on the technological aspect but also on the social one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Social hacking as the access key\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now, when thinking about a cyber attack, the image that might come to mind might be about tech-savvy hackers as depicted in \u003Cem>Mr. Robot \u003C\u002Fem>or \u003Cem>The Matrix\u003C\u002Fem>. However, this notion popularised in pop culture is not the whole part of the equation. In fact, there is very much a “social hacking” component in cyberattacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>HIPAA published \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fhealthcare-cybersecurity\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">some shocking\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fhealthcare-cybersecurity\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fhealthcare-cybersecurity\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">statistics\u003C\u002Fa>: \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>More than 90% of all cyberattacks against healthcare industries take the form of phishing scams\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>In a study simulating phishing campaigns against healthcare organizations, nearly 1 in 7 of the fake phishing emails sent were clicked on by healthcare employees\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Only 16% of healthcare employees believe that they understand the risks posed by social engineering cybersecurity threats\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>45% of healthcare cybersecurity professionals stated that a phishing attack was responsible for the most severe data breach experienced by their organization. And: \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>71% of incidents involved general email phishing, 67% involved spear-phishing, 27% voice phishing (vishing), 27% whaling, 23% business email compromise, 21% SMS phishing, 20% phishing website, 16% social media phishing, 3% pharming and 2% deepfakes\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities, social hacking or social engineering involves exploiting those vulnerabilities in human psychology to circumvent security technology. Famous hacker \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.csoonline.com\u002Farticle\u002F2113271\u002Fkevin-mitnick-and-anti-social-engineering.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Mitnick terms\u003C\u002Fa> humans as “\u003Cem>the weakest link in any security system\u003C\u002Fem>.” Mitnick popularised the term ‘social engineering’ in the ’90s, and his scams exemplify how breaching into tech systems is possible with this method. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One example is when he \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.csoonline.com\u002Farticle\u002F2124681\u002Fwhat-is-social-engineering.html\" target=\"_blank\">accessed the OS development servers\u003C\u002Fa> of Digital Equipment Corporation in 1979. He did so by posing as one of the lead developers over a phone call. Claiming that he couldn’t log in, he was immediately given new credentials to do just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F037_dictatorships-768x432.png\" alt=\"autocracies and digital health\" class=\"wp-image-21892\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F037_dictatorships-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F037_dictatorships-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F037_dictatorships-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F09\u002F037_dictatorships.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Not much has changed since then as a similar method was used to control a U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) email address in 2016. A hacker, postulating as a new employee, gently persuaded a help desk colleague to provide an access token for the DoJ intranet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, when considering methods to curb cyberthreats, it’s also paramount to educate personnel about ways they can be duped. In the next section, we’ll take a look at the measures that can be taken in this regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Adequate protection lies in humans, not just in technology\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Sure, securing computerised systems in healthcare organisations will require investing in proper technological tools. We previously \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-nhs-ransomware-attack-part-ii\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">talked to Istvan Lam\u003C\u002Fa>, Founder and CEO of  Hungarian data privacy company Tresorit, who emphasised this. “\u003Cem>Two things are key in prevention\u003C\u002Fem>,” Lam explained. “\u003Cem>First, healthcare institutions and organisations should use anti-virus software with anti-ransomware protection to protect themselves. Second, it is crucial for everyone to update operating systems and software applications.\u003C\u002Fem>” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of billions \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.idc.com\u002Fgetdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS50498423#:~:text=NEEDHAM%2C%20Mass.%2C%20March%2016,International%20Data%20Corporation%20(IDC).\" target=\"_blank\">are already spent annually\u003C\u002Fa> on cybersecurity globally on such tools. But spending a fraction of these on educating employees about social hacking should also be imperative. Indeed, even CEOs aren’t impervious to such cyberthreats as security company Rapid7 showed. In \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.rapid7.com\u002F2019\u002F01\u002F07\u002Fwhat-you-can-learn-from-our-successful-simulated-phishing-attack-of-45-ceos\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a simulated phishing attack\u003C\u002Fa> by the company, 45 CEOs, or 75% of the total group in attendance, fell for at least one phishing campaign. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Thankfully, there are some ways to counter social hacking and here are a few examples:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Increase exposure to cyberthreats\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One way to increase awareness of cybersecurity is to increase exposure to those threats via frequent simulations. During its cybersecurity events, Rapid7 noticed that people exposed to suspicious activity had a strong instinct to report subsequent ones they came across.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Familiarise staff with each other\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other experts recommend including everyone from top management to new recruits in training and awareness sessions about cyberthreats. That’s because it’s often newcomers to an organisation that get tricked into thinking they are conversing with an executive about an urgent issue that requires bypassing normal protocols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_346-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"emotion AI, ambient intelligence tmf algorithm\" class=\"wp-image-48645\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_346-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_346-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_346-01.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Raise red flags about suspicious activity\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another easy method to counter cyberattackers hacking into the social component is to train employees to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.csoonline.com\u002Farticle\u002F2124681\u002Fwhat-is-social-engineering.html\" target=\"_blank\">identify and report red flags\u003C\u002Fa>. Some methods used by attackers such as an email from a CEO’s personal email address should immediately be flagged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Cautious cybersecurity measures\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Cybersecurity firms will of course tell you the worst horror stories in the industry to sell their products. One of the most tragic ones was a reported case of a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F9\u002F17\u002F21443851\u002Fdeath-ransomware-attack-hospital-germany-cybersecurity\" target=\"_blank\">ransomware attack in September 2020\u003C\u002Fa> on the Duesseldorf University Hospital in Germany. Due to the attack, a woman was redirected to another healthcare facility around 20 miles away. But the ensuing delay in life-saving treatment led to her demise. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This was widely reported as the first reported death caused directly by a cyberattack. The story could serve as an incentive to invest heavily in pricey cybersecurity tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, a few months later, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F12\u002F1012015\u002Fransomware-did-not-kill-a-german-hospital-patient\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">an investigation found\u003C\u002Fa> that she had died due to her poor health, which had been “\u003Cem>entirely independent from the cyberattack.\u003C\u002Fem>” As such, we have to take these threats and attacks with a pinch of salt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, German law enforcement and many cybersecurity experts believe that it’s only a matter of time before a cyberattack causes such an actual demise of a patient. “\u003Cem>There is a moral line that every person, just as a human being, recognises exists—when you do something knowing that you are potentially impacting somebody’s life you’ve crossed the line,\u003C\u002Fem>” Mandiant’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fransomware-hospitals-ryuk-trickbot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Charles Carmakal said\u003C\u002Fa>. “\u003Cem>So there’s a very clear crossing of the line by this threat actor. This group is incredibly brazen, heartless, relentless\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, cyberthreats in healthcare cannot be overlooked. And to protect our medical facilities and patients, both the social and technological components of this issue must be adequately reinforced. The average patient should demand more security over their data, and the medical staff and management should take these demands seriously and familiarise themselves with cybercrime methods in order to better counter them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Bertalan Mesko, PhD, the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, launched The Medical Futurist to help individuals, companies, and governments understand how digital health technologies bring healthcare into the 21st century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u003Cem>“Digital health technologies empower patients to become proactive in their life; empower medical professionals to do their job being supported by advanced technologies, and companies and policymakers to make better decisions about their future.” – Dr. Bertalan Meskó\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To support this transformation, Dr. Meskó and The Medical Futurist team is working relentlessly analyzing the latest trends in digital health and bringing insights to the 800,000+ readers and followers of our publications, along these principles:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>The Medical Futurist is a place to learn, not a place for advertising\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>. The Medical Futurist team is working to bring you unlimited access to reliable, neutral information, that is free from the influence of vendors and companies.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>Unlike many others, we keep 99% of The Medical Futurist content open for all readers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe in information equality, where everyone deserves to read accurate news and thoughtful analysis.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>For 2021, we commit to another year of high-impact reporting that helps people navigate the jungle of digital health and to see where it is heading. With no shareholders or billionaire owners, we set our own agenda and provide unbiased insights that are free from commercial and political influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1324,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>While we were battling the COVID-19 virus in 2020, other infections were also happening, albeit in other, digital systems. We are, of course, talking about […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",32181,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[1328,784,5],6479,[1330,912,1331,1332,908,1333,85,1334,1335,1336,909,1337,1338,1339,1340,1341,1342,1343,1344],6041,6209,6255,6487,6489,689,6491,6493,691,6495,692,6503,5129,693,6505,[89,926,657,91,92],[],[100,531,102,665,1348,1349,1350,1351,1352,97,96,99],2293,2405,2407,3367,3471,[1354,53,109,110,111,112,113,1355,794,117,1356,947,1357,1358,943,1359,131,1360,1361,1362,944,1363,1364,1365,1366,1367,1368,1369,1370,134,960,687,136,137],"post-32095","category-covid-19","tag-covid-19","tag-virus","tag-nhs","tag-cyberattack","tag-acronis","tag-cybercrime","tag-mandiant","tag-social-hacking","tag-wannacry","tag-kevin-mitnick","tag-ransomware","tag-rapid7","tag-hipaa","tag-it","tag-social-engineering",{"id":1325,"alt_text":1372,"caption":1373,"description":1374,"media_type":142,"media_details":1375,"post":1310,"source_url":1392},"Cyberthreats to hospitals","Hospitals under (cyber)threat","To protect our medical facilities and patients, hospitals must reinforce their technological and social knowledge.",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":1376,"sizes":1377,"image_meta":1391},"2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_235-01.png",{"medium":1378,"large":1381,"thumbnail":1384,"medium_large":1387,"1536x1536":1388},{"file":1379,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1380},"tmf_article_235-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_235-01-370x208.png",{"file":1382,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1383},"tmf_article_235-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_235-01-768x432.png",{"file":1385,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1386},"tmf_article_235-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_235-01-150x150.png",{"file":1382,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1383},{"file":1389,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1390},"tmf_article_235-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_235-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F01\u002Ftmf_article_235-01.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1394,"related_posts_footer":1395,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":16},[196,197,340],[1396,882,1397],47157,15795,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1320,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1399,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1318},"To protect our medical facilities and patients from cyberattacks, hospitals must reinforce their technological and social knowledge.",{"self":1401,"collection":1406,"about":1408,"author":1410,"replies":1412,"version-history":1415,"predecessor-version":1419,"wp:featuredmedia":1423,"wp:attachment":1426,"wp:term":1429,"curies":1440},[1402],{"href":1403,"targetHints":1404},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32095",{"allow":1405},[27],[1407],{"href":214},[1409],{"href":217},[1411],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[1413],{"embeddable":41,"href":1414},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=32095",[1416],{"count":1417,"href":1418},36,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32095\u002Frevisions",[1420],{"id":1421,"href":1422},51407,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F32095\u002Frevisions\u002F51407",[1424],{"embeddable":41,"href":1425},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F32181",[1427],{"href":1428},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=32095",[1430,1432,1434,1436,1438],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1431},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=32095",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1433},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=32095",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1435},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=32095",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1437},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=32095",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1439},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=32095",[1441],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1443,"date":1444,"date_gmt":1445,"guid":1446,"modified":1448,"modified_gmt":1449,"slug":1450,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1451,"title":1452,"content":1454,"excerpt":1456,"author":413,"featured_media":1458,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1459,"categories":1460,"tags":1462,"project_category":1472,"contact_email_category":1473,"yst_prominent_words":1474,"class_list":1479,"better_featured_image":1491,"acf":1513,"yoast_meta":1519,"_links":1522},30683,"2023-03-09T10:00:00","2023-03-09T09:00:00",{"rendered":1447},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=30683&_wpnonce=1acf9982cc&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-03-06T18:42:57","2023-03-06T17:42:57","can-your-smartwatch-send-you-to-the-hospital","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcan-your-smartwatch-send-you-to-the-hospital",{"rendered":1453},"Can Your Smartwatch Send You To The Hospital?",{"rendered":1455,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>If you are among the millions of smartwatch owners with a cardiac abnormality detection feature, you might very well have tried this feature on yourself. But what would you do if it told you that you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm disorder that increases stroke risk? If you don’t have a history of cardiovascular ailments, you might, at first, think it’s an issue with the firmware, an incorrect reading or even a faulty device. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But what if the result persists after several tests; and even after other people who used the same watch showed normal results? You would likely consult your physician to determine if there’s a need to worry. If the results are negative, then all the better. But if your physician’s tests corroborate with the smartwatch’s results, then you could undergo potentially life-saving treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25353\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is exactly what happened to Zsolt Varga, an IT professional from Budapest, who we interviewed earlier. The Apple Watch he received as a Christmas present correctly notified him of a previously undiscovered AFib. This allowed him to take preventive measures and have his physician monitor his condition well before any complications arose. And Mr Varga is not the only one turning to the ER following notification of their smartwatch. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feconomictimes.indiatimes.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-updates\u002Fapple-watch-saves-owners-life-from-fatal-internal-bleeding-after-nap-heres-what-happened\u002Farticleshow\u002F98091250.cms\" target=\"_blank\">Recently \u003C\u002Fa>an Apple watch also saved its owner’s life who had internal bleeding which was discovered after repeated notifications from the device. The more people wear such devices, the more often we read similar stories. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>ECG capabilities are embedded in a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fbertalanmesko_garmin-adds-fda-cleared-ekgs-to-its-venu-activity-7023957684550791169-DfnB\u002F?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop\" target=\"_blank\">growing number of smartwatches\u003C\u002Fa>, and will soon become a standard feature. And sensors are becoming better and better, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.advnture.com\u002Fnews\u002Fa-full-wearable-lab-could-be-on-your-wrist-as-early-as-next-year\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">there are developments\u003C\u002Fa> promising even \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fsearch\u002Fresults\u002Fcontent\u002F?keywords=apple%20watch%20mesk%C3%B3&update=urn%3Ali%3Afs_updateV2%3A%28urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7034884802142990337%2CBLENDED_SEARCH_FEED%2CEMPTY%2CDEFAULT%2Cfalse%29&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3B5lCtnf5hTJKI3ACnAnslFQ%3D%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more advanced features\u003C\u002Fa> (like core body temperature, blood pressure, hydration, and blood alcohol and glucose measurements) in the future. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Smartwatch AFib detection has its limitations. Notably: people who use such devices are typically not members of high-risk groups. While watch owners are statistically young (under 45) and most likely financially not deprived, AFib is much more prevalent in the 65+ population and due to a number of factors, is more common in people with lower incomes. (These factors include high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes – all risk factors for AFib and more prevalent among people with lower incomes. Additionally, access to healthcare and quality of healthcare can also impact AFib diagnosis and management.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus we can conclude that as of now, many people who could benefit most from the devices aren’t wearing them – and might not be able to afford them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Nevertheless, as we explain in this article, technology is not at fault here. It’s rather the lack of the cultural transformation that is required as part of digital health adoption that’s missing from the equation\u003C\u002Fstrong>. So let’s break down the misconceptions and reality behind having your smartwatch send you to the hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What the research says\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There had been quite some evolution in the past decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Facademic.oup.com\u002Fjamia\u002Farticle\u002F27\u002F9\u002F1359\u002F5911974\" target=\"_blank\">paper from Mayo Clinic\u003C\u002Fa> from a few years back found that among the 264 Apple Watch users’ analysed clinical data, only 11.4% received clinically actionable diagnoses. “\u003Cem>For patients who experienced an abnormal pulse alert and presented for medical evaluation, 7 patients needed to be evaluated to establish 1 diagnosis of clinically actionable cardiovascular disease,\u003C\u002Fem>” the researchers explained. “\u003Cem>Among the 15 asymptomatic patients who presented following an abnormal pulse alert, only 1 was diagnosed with a clinically actionable cardiovascular diagnosis\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Their findings further suggest that “\u003Cem>many users used the device in a manner inconsistent with FDA guidance.\u003C\u002Fem>” That FDA guidance about the abnormal pulse detection \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accessdata.fda.gov\u002Fcdrh_docs\u002Fpdf18\u002FDEN180042.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">stated that\u003C\u002Fa> “\u003Cem>the feature has not been tested for and is not intended for use in people under 22 years of age. It is also not intended for use in individuals previously diagnosed with AFib\u003C\u002Fem>.” In their study, the researchers found that 8.7% of patients were under 22 years of age, while 22% had preexisting atrial fibrillation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002Fapple-watch-ECG-reading-768x403.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30685\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002Fapple-watch-ECG-reading-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002Fapple-watch-ECG-reading.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>They concluded by writing that “\u003Cem>the FDA and Apple must carefully consider the unintended consequences of widespread direct-to-consumer screening for asymptomatic atrial fibrillation, including overutilization of healthcare resources owing to false positive screening results and use of screening tools by users in whom they have not been adequately studied.\u003C\u002Fem>”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, as the technology evolved, new features emerged. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Fapple-watchs-afib-history-feature-ripens-fda-clearance\" target=\"_blank\">FDA approved Apple Watch AFib history feature in 2022\u003C\u002Fa>, allowing adults with the condition to track how frequently they show signs of irregular heartbeat. They also have data on how certain factors like sleep, alcohol consumption and activity may be impacting their AFib, and can download a detailed PDF combining all of that information they can share with their doctors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And there is another interesting line of development. “A \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Fapple-watch-s-built-ecg-could-detect-non-afib-arrhythmias-follow-up-analysis-finds\" target=\"_blank\">2021 retrospective analysis\u003C\u002Fa> of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmed.stanford.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fall-news\u002F2019\u002F03\u002Fapple-heart-study-demonstrates-ability-of-wearable-technology.html\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Heart Study\u003C\u002Fa> – which served as the basis for FDA clearance of the Apple Watch’s ECG – found that the device may be able to identify arrhythmias other than AFib. The study looked specifically at wearers who had received an irregular pulse notification but hadn’t been subsequently diagnosed with AFib. The researchers found that about 40% of that group went on to be diagnosed with a different form of arrhythmia.” So, circling back to the initial findings on false positives from a few years ago: it looks possible that a visible share of those alarms has actually been valid – not for AFib, but for other irregularities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Through these studies, many will blame the technology or even the tech adopters for potentially over-burdening hospitals. However, the real issue lies deeper than that.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The misconceptions (and reality) behind a smartwatch “diagnosis”\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When a device like the Apple Watch receives clearance from a regulatory body like the FDA, expectations are understandably high. But sometimes, they are higher than they should be. People come to expect these technologies to make perfect measurements with no room for mistakes. But the truth is, even with high false positive rates, digital health devices still detect more patients; especially if they are asymptomatic. In the U.K. alone, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bhf.org.uk\u002Ffor-professionals\u002Fhealthcare-professionals\u002Fblog\u002F2019\u002Fatrial-fibrillation-finding-the-missing-300000\" target=\"_blank\">the British Heart Foundation puts the number\u003C\u002Fa> of those with AFib but oblivious to the risk at around 300 000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The 11.4% smartwatch users that the Mayo Clinic found to have clinically actionable diagnoses translates roughly to 1 in every 10 patients who present with a smartwatch alert. That’s like identifying Mr. Varga’s case and 9 false positives; but we’re still catching that 1 patient before they experience a stroke. \u003Cstrong>That’s a win for the patient who would otherwise have slipped through the traditional system; and a win for digital health.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Additionally, one might think that it’s the technology, rather than the actual health issue, that sends patients to hospitals; hence the term smartwatch “diagnosis.” But if a patient has an underlying ailment without their prior knowledge, the smartwatch’s sensor only detects what’s already there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A better approach to prevention\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Importantly, a digital health device like a smartwatch still presents a better approach to preventing complications than the current methods. The latter, unfortunately, all too often means doing nothing or waiting for the patient to exhibit strong symptoms. With digital health tools, we still correctly identify the patient demographic that the traditional healthcare system misses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Yes, the false positives will add to the workload and resource utilisation; and more patients will show up to the ER following alerts from their smartwatches in the near future. For example, Apple released the Apple Watch 6, which \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fapple-adds-spo2-v02-max-apple-watch-series-6-launches-three-new-studies\" target=\"_blank\">included a blood oxygenation sensor\u003C\u002Fa>. A drop in the oxygen saturation (SpO2) level the sensor measures can indicate an underlying respiratory illness, even if no visible signs are present. While Apple \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F7\u002F21504023\u002Fapple-watch-ekg-blood-oxygen-fda-clearance\" target=\"_blank\">did not seek FDA clearance\u003C\u002Fa> for this sensor, it’s not far-fetched to imagine users rushing to their physicians following an abnormal result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the medical knowledge about the use of such smart wearables accumulates, as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnewsroom.heart.org\u002Fnews\u002Fleading-science-research-and-technology-leaders-join-forces-to-accelerate-react-af-trial\" target=\"_blank\">more studies set out to determine the true preventive\u002Ftherapeutic potential\u003C\u002Fa>, we can declare with increasing confidence that these devices can indeed improve our health outcomes in general. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How to deal with “smartwatch patients”?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Rather than being the object of scorn for taking their smartwatch readings too seriously, adopters of such digital health tools need guidance from medical professionals.\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And for that, those healthcare professionals must themselves understand and be open to those disruptive technologies. This is because simply making clinical-grade sensors available to patients will not yield optimal results. As the recent Mayo Clinic study showed, it can even lead to the overburdening of healthcare institutions. But proper guidance from medical professionals can equip patients to better interpret readings from their smart sensors, which will, in turn, help avoid unnecessary hospital visits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Doctors can follow guidance from regulatory authorities around the use of such devices. They can further instruct their patients regarding who should take and when to take measurements with these wearables. Patients can in turn share their data over the cloud with their physician in case of suspicious readings. They can subsequently both discuss those findings over a telemedicine consultation and determine if a hospital visit is indeed necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, the method to deal with those so-called “\u003Cem>smartwatch patients\u003C\u002Fem>” is not avoiding those novel technologies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>Rather, it involves investing in and supporting digital health technologies that facilitate the doctor-patient relationship as an equal-level partnership. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In short, we need a cultural transformation, and this is part and parcel of digital health; in fact, it is part of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">its very definition\u003C\u002Fa>. Without such a transformation, digital health cannot take off. It will have a polarised adoption, with patients seeking those technologies while healthcare professionals warding them off. This will be at the expense of the obvious advantages disruptive technologies bring to the field that truly propel healthcare into the 21st century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1457,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Supporting digital health technologies that facilitate the doctor-patient relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30731,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[1328,1461,637,638,70,783,417,525,640,5,641],4879,[1463,1464,1465,1466,1467,1468,1469,1470,1471,287],6275,6277,6279,142,777,236,4415,292,4733,[89,657,90],[],[99,660,1475,1476,1477,1478],2081,2163,2347,3305,[1480,53,109,110,111,112,113,1355,1481,669,670,116,793,427,537,672,117,673,1482,1483,1484,1485,1486,1487,1488,1489,1490,314,134,687,135],"post-30683","category-lifestyle-medicine","tag-afib","tag-mayo-clinic","tag-british-heart-foundation","tag-apple","tag-er","tag-fda-2","tag-apple-watch","tag-interview-2","tag-spo2",{"id":1458,"alt_text":1492,"caption":1493,"description":1494,"media_type":142,"media_details":1495,"post":1443,"source_url":1512},"Can your smartwatch send you to the hospital?","Someone wearing a smartwatch is being sent to the hospital by the device","Although false positive rates can be high, these digital health devices still detect more patients and help prevent more diseases than current methods",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":1496,"sizes":1497,"image_meta":1511},"2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01.png",{"medium":1498,"large":1501,"thumbnail":1504,"medium_large":1507,"1536x1536":1508},{"file":1499,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1500},"213_tmf-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-370x208.png",{"file":1502,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1503},"213_tmf-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-768x432.png",{"file":1505,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1506},"213_tmf-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-150x150.png",{"file":1502,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1503},{"file":1509,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1510},"213_tmf-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1514,"related_posts_footer":1515,"related_posts":16},[988,340,711],[1516,1517,1518],14445,17466,48665,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1520,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1521,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1451},"Can Your Smartwatch Send You To The Hospital? - The Medical Futurist","Patients showing up at the doctor’s referring to smartwatch data can be a nuisance – but a signal of this kind can also be a life-saver.",{"self":1523,"collection":1528,"about":1530,"author":1532,"replies":1534,"version-history":1537,"predecessor-version":1540,"wp:featuredmedia":1544,"wp:attachment":1547,"wp:term":1550,"curies":1561},[1524],{"href":1525,"targetHints":1526},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F30683",{"allow":1527},[27],[1529],{"href":214},[1531],{"href":217},[1533],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[1535],{"embeddable":41,"href":1536},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=30683",[1538],{"count":226,"href":1539},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F30683\u002Frevisions",[1541],{"id":1542,"href":1543},49873,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F30683\u002Frevisions\u002F49873",[1545],{"embeddable":41,"href":1546},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30731",[1548],{"href":1549},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=30683",[1551,1553,1555,1557,1559],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1552},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=30683",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1554},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=30683",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1556},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=30683",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1558},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=30683",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1560},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=30683",[1562],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1564,"date":1565,"date_gmt":1566,"guid":1567,"modified":1569,"modified_gmt":1570,"slug":1571,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1572,"title":1573,"content":1575,"excerpt":1577,"author":61,"featured_media":1579,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1580,"categories":1581,"tags":1584,"project_category":1601,"contact_email_category":1602,"yst_prominent_words":1603,"class_list":1607,"better_featured_image":1627,"acf":1647,"yoast_meta":1652,"_links":1655},13151,"2023-01-31T10:00:00","2023-01-31T09:00:00",{"rendered":1568},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13151","2023-01-29T07:36:09","2023-01-29T06:36:09","bioethical-issues","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbioethical-issues",{"rendered":1574},"TOP 10 Dangers Of Digital Health",{"rendered":1576,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to the advent of digital health, the future of medicine is truly exciting. With technological advancements that democratise access to care, better treatments are accessible to people than ever before. Breakthrough research and medical developments have eradicated deadly diseases and turned others into manageable conditions. But the very developments that propel healthcare to the 21st century bring their own share of hazards to the field.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the elimination of privacy through hacked medical devices to bioterrorism, there are signs of alarming trends that few take seriously. Nevertheless, we must generate discussion around these issues and help prepare every stakeholder to address them. To this end, we collected 10 of the most important hazards that technology brings about in the digital health age.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>1. Regulating adaptive AI algorithms\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Flocked-and-adaptive-algorithms-in-healthcare-differences-importance-and-regulatory-hurdles\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adaptive artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (AI) is one that can adapt itself on the go based on new information it receives. In a clinical environment, it would, for example, be able to recommend blood tests more frequently in a population that has a high prevalence of diabetes. And if it sees that people in this population also have a tendency to develop cardiac issues, it will also recommend a cardiovascular evaluation.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-768x432.png\" alt=\"AI bias algorithm artificial intelligence people patients race population\" class=\"wp-image-41809\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, such algorithms rely on existing medical data which is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-bias-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fraught with inherent biases\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. By evolving on such data, adaptive AI will only reinforce those harmful biases such as discriminating based on one’s ethnicity and\u002For gender. To mitigate those risks, regulatory authorities must adopt new regulatory approaches to ensure that equitable adaptive AI algorithms are employed in healthcare facilities.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Hacking medical devices remotely\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New medical implants and devices are increasingly getting wireless connectivity features whether it’s to monitor metrics or run diagnostics. However, this also means that they are prone to hacks and these could prove fatal to patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in 2011, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theregister.com\u002F2011\u002F10\u002F27\u002Ffatal_insulin_pump_attack\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a researcher\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed that it was possible to hack Medtronic insulin pumps to deliver fatal doses to diabetic patients. Others can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.washingtonpost.com\u002Fnews\u002Fthe-switch\u002Fwp\u002F2013\u002F10\u002F21\u002Fyes-terrorists-could-have-hacked-dick-cheneys-heart\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hijack pacemakers\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over Bluetooth, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2014\u002F04\u002Fhospital-equipment-vulnerable\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compromise X-ray data\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, remotely \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2014\u002F06\u002Fhospital-networks-leaking-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reconfigure CT scans\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to alter radiation exposure, and the list \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2015\u002F11\u002Fmedical-devices-that-are-vulnerable-to-life-threatening-hacks\u002F#slide-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">goes on\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As more and more patients and healthcare institutions adopt such solutions, are regulators ensuring that private companies provide secure technologies? What can we do to protect wearable devices that are connected to our physiological system from remote hacks? Patients should demand safer options, while companies developing such technologies should make sure they are safe and users should be as vigilant as possible when using them.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>3. Privacy breaches by and on direct-to-consumer devices and services\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The relationship between digital health adoption and privacy is a delicate one. In short, there is no digital health without compromising a part of our privacy. In order to provide individual and personalised results, tools such as health sensors and AI need access to our personal health data. But how secure are such data once the companies behind those tools have access to them? For instance, the popular direct-to-consumer DNA testing company 23andMe and pharma giant GSK \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gsk.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fmedia\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fgsk-and-23andme-sign-agreement-to-leverage-genetic-insights-for-the-development-of-novel-medicines\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signed a $300 million deal\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for drug development. This deal leveraged 23andMe’s substantial genetic resources, and it was made possible through its customers being oblivious that such a deal was in the pipeline. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Privacy and security issues pertaining to the digital health era are complex and multifactorial. These aren’t likely to get any simpler as more and more advanced technologies get integrated into the field. As such, every stakeholder in the healthcare landscape must contemplate the need for changes in the digital health era. To help you navigate these questions, we published \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an e-book dedicated to the topic\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-768x432.png\" alt=\"Hackers, breaches and the value of health data TMF privacy ebook\" class=\"wp-image-47062\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>4. Ransomware attacks on hospitals\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When talking about cyber threats in healthcare, the most common ones are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcyberthreats-to-hospitals-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ransomware\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These involve hackers who infect IT systems with malware or digital viruses to encrypt crucial files. These paralyse whole infrastructures as that information is inaccessible until a ransom is paid, usually through cryptocurrency.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the high-profile ones happened back in 2017 with the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-nhs-ransomware-attack-data-privacy-in-digital-health-part-one\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WannaCry attacks\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on 61 NHS institutions. It led to the cancellation of operations and clinical appointments, loss of internet connection in hospitals and diverted patients from emergency departments even one week after the incident. This trend was perpetuated in subsequent years. Cybersecurity incidents involving patient data hit all-time highs \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Fwhat-we-learned-from-cybersecurity-attacks-in-healthcare-in-2022\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">year after year\u003C\u002Fa>, and experts predict that 2023 likely won’t be any better. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cyber threats in healthcare cannot be overlooked. The average patient should demand more security over their data, and the medical staff and management should take these demands seriously and familiarise themselves with cybercrime methods in order to better counter them.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>5. Technologies supporting self-diagnosis\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physicians are worried because patients google their symptoms and treatments as they might wrongly associate the information they find \u003C\u002Fspan>with more serious conditions than what their caregiver diagnoses them with. Researchers as well are sounding the alarm about patients turning to hospitals due to smartwatch notifications about abnormal ECG readings, many of which are not clinically actionable. But soon, more and more patients will have access to more metrics at home whether they come from blood tests or genetic analyses; some of which come\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from unregulated companies offering inaccurate services.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01.png\" alt=\"Can your smartwatch send you to the hospital?\" class=\"wp-image-30731\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This, together with advanced chatbots offering medical advice can pave the way for even more serious cases of misinterpretation or self-medication. Will we be able to persuade patients not to further overload hospitals in this way? To avert this, proper guidance from medical professionals can equip patients to better interpret readings from their smart sensors, and authorities can regulate those services so that patients can get to know which companies to trust. This will, in turn, help avoid unnecessary hospital visits.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>6. Bioterrorism through digital health technologies\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the convenience and enhanced medical solutions brought about by the interconnected world of digital health technologies, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdisruptive-technologies-bioterrorism\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bioterrorism\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also propels to new levels. We discussed how medical devices can be hacked remotely and that ransomware attacks \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F12\u002F1012015\u002Fransomware-did-not-kill-a-german-hospital-patient\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hold the risk of being fatal\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for some patients. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Ftechnology\u002Fwhat-does-elon-musks-brain-chip-company-neuralink-do-2022-12-05\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Neuralink\u003C\u002Fa>, Elon Musk wants to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fjohnkoetsier\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F28\u002Felon-musk-wants-to-put-a-fitbit-in-your-skull-to-summon-your-tesla\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">embed a “Fitbit in your skull”,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while startup \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nanotics.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NaNotics\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is developing nanorobots that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldhealth.net\u002Fnews\u002Fnanotech-suggests-have-found-way-combat-age-related-diseases\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“mop up” molecules\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that trigger diseases and ageing from the circulation. With \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechfundingnews.com\u002Fa-brain-implant-no-thicker-than-a-human-hair-neuralinks-competitor-raises-41m-funding\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">such advanced technologies on the horizon\u003C\u002Fa>, are we equipped to prevent bioterrorists from hacking into these devices to directly gain control over our health?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>7. AI not tested in a real-life clinical setting\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We regularly hear news headlines of an AI’s incredible prowess in the healthcare setting. But in many cases, these results are obtained from laboratories using selected datasets or ideal settings which aren’t totally reflective of actual clinical environments. Google learnt it the hard way.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3200\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2.png\" alt=\"A.I. in medicine\" class=\"wp-image-23751\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2.png 3200w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical researchers from the company touted the ability of its AI tool to screen patients for diabetic retinopathy (DR) from images \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F27\u002Fgoogle-medical-researchers-humbled-when-ai-screening-tool-falls-short-in-real-life-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with 90% accuracy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. DR is a major cause of vision loss worldwide, and detecting the condition earlier can prevent complications. But Google’s AI \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F27\u002Fgoogle-medical-researchers-humbled-when-ai-screening-tool-falls-short-in-real-life-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> didn’t fare so well in practice\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as it did on paper. When used by nurses in a hospital in Thailand, they \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F27\u002Fgoogle-medical-researchers-humbled-when-ai-screening-tool-falls-short-in-real-life-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">encountered several issues\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sometimes they had internet connection troubles; at other times the quality of the scan didn’t meet a certain threshold, so the AI simply didn’t give a result. And on some occasions, nurses even had to spend extra time editing some of the images the algorithm didn’t want to analyse.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>8. Synthetic health data is not entirely accurate in simulating reality\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-clinical-trials-artificial-patients-synthetic-data-and-real-time-analysis\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Synthetic data\u003C\u002Fa> is the use of AI to create datasets that mimic the real world. We use it for several reasons: 1. we don’t have enough real-world data or 2. don’t want to use real-world (sensitive) data. It is useful for feeding any algorithm that needs massive amounts of data to learn and either develop new prediction capabilities or recognise patterns. Synthetic data is widely used in a number of industries and segments, not just in medicine, but also in self-driving vehicles, security, robotics, fraud protection, insurance models, the military, and so on. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, any dataset we create will be imperfect to some extent. It will contain biases we are not aware of. It will not include important variables we either overlooked or are not aware of their importance. Even, in the best of cases, it will be like a snapshot of a given moment in a given situation. If we let machine learning and deep learning algorithms develop on these synthetic, imperfect datasets, chances are they will come to conclusions that are more or less false in the real world. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png\" alt=\"in silico trials, synthetic data, artificial patient, TMF\" class=\"wp-image-24545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Synthetic data is cheap and easy to come by, much easier and cheaper than collecting huge amounts of messy real-world data. What happens if decisions affecting large groups of people or whole societies will be made based on it? It is especially worrying as the world already faces challenges regarding “truth”. Introducing alternative truths based on ‘data’ to back decisions affecting societies – like healthcare funding, insurance models and so on – can have devastating consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>9. Face recognition cameras in hospitals\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-guide-to-facial-recognition-technology-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facial recognition technology\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a method that combines image analysis and deep neural networks to interpret patterns from facial characteristics. It can reveal a range of medical conditions. Its functional algorithm relies on existing databases and dives into comparing those features in order to output a result. Its application in healthcare shows promise from detecting rare genetic conditions to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-in-aesthetics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extracting facial blood flow information\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the U.S., controversial company Clearview AI, which made a facial recognition database from social media pictures of unsuspecting individuals, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fvalue-ethics-using-phone-data-monitor-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pitched its platform\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the government to track those infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, employing the technology from a company with dubious intentions poses new privacy risks. What will they do with the images collected? Will they be shared with law enforcement officials for surveillance, which can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsitn.hms.harvard.edu\u002Fflash\u002F2020\u002Fracial-discrimination-in-face-recognition-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">further fuel racial discrimination\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>10. Health insurance: Dr Big Brother\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the availability and adoption of fitness trackers, direct-to-consumer genetic tests and health sensors, health insurance companies are able to assess applicants for insurance coverage based on their individual needs. For example, if one’s genetic test reveals a higher probability of acquiring ovarian cancer, the insurance company could subsequently subsidise relevant tests and offer them more regularly to that person. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, such availability of personal data is also a double-edged sword. It \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">could lead to a dystopian, Orwellian scenario\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Insurance companies could demand access to individuals’ wearables data in order to offer insurance; charge higher premiums if customers aren’t maintaining a healthy lifestyle; and even discriminate against applicants based on their genetic risk. The U.S. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.genome.gov\u002Fabout-genomics\u002Fpolicy-issues\u002FGenetic-Discrimination\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was set up to address such biases, but what if new insurance policies amend it due to pressure from lobbies?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2.png\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22082\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are of course more such hazards emerging from the digital health world which we will encounter more frequently in the near future. So let’s start discussing these issues at home, at the workplace and on public forums. This way we can prepare to exploit the advantages technology offers, while keeping the potential dangers at bay.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cstrong>And we shall never forget: “\u003Cem>Primum non nocere\u003C\u002Fem>”!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1578,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>There are many threats if we let medical innovation run wild. We collected 10 hazards that technology brings about in the digital health age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",33749,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,69,1582,637,784,1583,5,641],500,507,[920,1585,1586,1587,1588,1589,1590,1591,1592,643,1338,1593,648,1340,1594,906,1595,1596,84,287,1597,1598,917,1599,1600],6883,845,6885,5267,6887,6243,517,6525,6743,6871,740,6873,6875,1535,6877,6881,[89,926,656,657,91],[],[660,1604,100,531,101,102,532,665,1605,96,97,1606,99,929],5013,2993,4505,[1608,53,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,1609,669,794,1610,117,673,955,1611,1612,1613,1614,1615,1616,1617,1618,674,1364,1619,679,1366,1620,941,1621,1622,130,314,1623,1624,952,1625,1626,134,960,686,687,136],"post-13151","category-biotechnology","category-nanotechnology","tag-sars-cov-2","tag-medtronic","tag-orwellian","tag-researchers","tag-genetic-information-nondiscrimination-act","tag-nanotics","tag-gc1","tag-neuralink","tag-hospitals","tag-ct-scans","tag-elon-musk","tag-hacking","tag-cryptocurrency","tag-facial-recognition","tag-diabetic-retinopathy","tag-clearview-ai",{"id":1579,"alt_text":64,"caption":1628,"description":64,"media_type":142,"media_details":1629,"post":1564,"source_url":1646},"10 hazards ",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":1630,"sizes":1631,"image_meta":1645},"2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01.png",{"medium":1632,"large":1635,"thumbnail":1638,"medium_large":1641,"1536x1536":1642},{"file":1633,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1634},"tmf_article_253-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-370x208.png",{"file":1636,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1637},"tmf_article_253-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-768x432.png",{"file":1639,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1640},"tmf_article_253-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-150x150.png",{"file":1636,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1637},{"file":1643,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1644},"tmf_article_253-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":1648,"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},[1649,1650,1651],31729,33587,33075,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1653,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1654,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1572},"TOP 10 Dangers Of Digital Health And Medical Innovation","There are many threats if we let medical innovation run wild. We collected 10 hazards that technology brings about in the digital health age.",{"self":1656,"collection":1661,"about":1663,"author":1665,"replies":1667,"version-history":1670,"predecessor-version":1674,"wp:featuredmedia":1678,"wp:attachment":1681,"wp:term":1684,"curies":1695},[1657],{"href":1658,"targetHints":1659},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13151",{"allow":1660},[27],[1662],{"href":214},[1664],{"href":217},[1666],{"embeddable":41,"href":220},[1668],{"embeddable":41,"href":1669},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13151",[1671],{"count":1672,"href":1673},51,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13151\u002Frevisions",[1675],{"id":1676,"href":1677},48941,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13151\u002Frevisions\u002F48941",[1679],{"embeddable":41,"href":1680},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F33749",[1682],{"href":1683},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13151",[1685,1687,1689,1691,1693],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1686},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13151",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1688},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13151",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1690},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13151",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1692},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13151",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1694},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13151",[1696],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1698,"date":1699,"date_gmt":1700,"guid":1701,"modified":1703,"modified_gmt":1704,"slug":1705,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1706,"title":1707,"content":1709,"excerpt":1711,"author":413,"featured_media":1713,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1714,"categories":1715,"tags":1716,"project_category":1719,"contact_email_category":1720,"yst_prominent_words":1721,"class_list":1727,"better_featured_image":1731,"acf":1753,"yoast_meta":1760,"_links":1762},25311,"2023-01-10T10:00:00","2023-01-10T09:00:00",{"rendered":1702},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=25311&_wpnonce=60ce903513&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-01-09T16:44:44","2023-01-09T15:44:44","your-guide-to-facial-recognition-technology-in-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-guide-to-facial-recognition-technology-in-healthcare",{"rendered":1708},"Your Guide To Facial Recognition Technology in Healthcare",{"rendered":1710,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Facial recognition technology is upon us; phones and computers can be unlocked with your specific facial structure using this gimmick, but it can also scarily be used to identify you from security cameras, which are increasingly becoming omnipresent. As a matter of fact, Australian governments have been actively pushing for the implementation of this technology with what \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"The Guardian calls "creative reasons" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2019\u002Fnov\u002F17\u002Fporn-public-transport-and-other-dubious-justifications-for-using-facial-recognition-software\" target=\"_blank\">The Guardian calls “creative reasons”\u003C\u002Fa> such as public transport payments and government rebates. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But what about the implications of this technology in healthcare? \u003Cstrong>From better diagnosis of rare conditions to ethnic discrimination, will it revolutionise the healthcare system or be the harbinger of a Black Mirror-worthy reality?\u003C\u002Fstrong> We’ll analyze these questions and more in this article as we guide you through the basics of this hot technology and its potential implications and ethical challenges lying ahead. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ffacial-recognition-wikimedia-commons-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"facial recognition face phone\" class=\"wp-image-48581\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ffacial-recognition-wikimedia-commons-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ffacial-recognition-wikimedia-commons.jpg 1227w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What the FRT?!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>FRT, short for facial recognition technology, is a method used to identify a person based on their specific facial features like bone structure and skin texture. Its functional algorithm relies on existing databases which it dives into to compare those features in order to output a result. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such software has been in use to identify law offenders or to visualise how missing children might look like as adults but not really in the healthcare sector, that is until recently. This is because \u003Cstrong>with time FRT became more sophisticated (thanks to a larger database of faces) and accessible (your phone has it!), and is now becoming increasingly attractive in medicine\u003C\u002Fstrong> thanks to the numerous ways it can be implemented in this sector from cutting down on paperwork to helping physicians in diagnosis. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Facebook picture-tagging to identifying rare genetic conditions: how can FRT benefit healthcare?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Do you know how Facebook or your mobile prompts you with suggestions about people to tag in a photo? This is a prime example of FRT in action – the software can identify someone based on their unique facial features. Now imagine going to your local hospital in the near future for that sore throat that has been bothering you for over a week. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Instead of going through the waiting lines for administrative purposes, a virtual assistant will scan your face in a matter of seconds and assign you to your doctor. In so doing, the algorithm can even detect other irregularities like \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fieeexplore.ieee.org\u002Fabstract\u002Fdocument\u002F7063266\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>signs of depression\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> and will inform your doctor of such a possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftom-sodoge-Qeqg7F9pfuU-unsplash-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"phone man person face facial recognition\" class=\"wp-image-48579\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftom-sodoge-Qeqg7F9pfuU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftom-sodoge-Qeqg7F9pfuU-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftom-sodoge-Qeqg7F9pfuU-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Ftom-sodoge-Qeqg7F9pfuU-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Such applications are far from being mere products of the mind. An oft-cited example is \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.face2gene.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Face2Gene\u003C\u002Fa>, an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fapp-diagnose-rare-diseases-childs-face\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">app used by clinicians\u003C\u002Fa> that can detect rare genetic conditions like \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FCornelia_de_Lange_syndrome\" target=\"_blank\">Cornelia de Lange syndrome\u003C\u002Fa>, where patients have characteristic facial features which can be missed by physicians because they simply might not have come across it during their clinical practice. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This was the case with Omar Abdul-Rahman, a medical geneticist, who, thanks to the app, recommended the family of a three-year-old boy that they order a specific genetic test for \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FMowat%E2%80%93Wilson_syndrome\" target=\"_blank\">Mowat-Wilson syndrome\u003C\u002Fa>, which returned positive. “If it weren’t for the app I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to say ‘yes you should spend $1000 on this test,” Rahman told the online outlet Leapsmag. This saved the family from making further expenses which might not have correctly identified the condition and would have further delayed the appropriate care that the young boy required.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41591-018-0279-0\" target=\"_blank\">a study\u003C\u002Fa>, the deep-learning algorithm DeepGestalt, which powers Face2Gene was shown to outperform clinicians in diagnosing syndromes like Noonan syndrome. DeepGestalt even correctly identified conditions in its top ten list 91% of the time. “It’s like a Google search,” the study’s co-author \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd41586-019-00027-x\" target=\"_blank\">Karen Gripp tells Nature\u003C\u002Fa>. With such a high success rate and the ease of using the app, such a comparison is not far-fetched. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about the future of healthcare?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t even be worthless to speculate what this technology could lead to or do in the future. Below are our top 5 potential and highly anticipated uses of FRT in healthcare in the (near?) future:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Smart mirrors\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Am I Healthy?” Asking your mirror this question might soon be possible. By combining FRT into a seemingly simple mirror with a built-in camera and existing technologies like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Faspiring-dermatology-app-under-the-microscope-the-skinvision-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">SkinVision\u003C\u002Fa>’s skin analysis and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nuralogix.ai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Nuralogix’s transdermal optical imaging technique\u003C\u002Fa> to measure blood pressure and stress level, a quick scan can reveal a lot by simply looking at your own reflection (or by asking your mirror!). Such a smart mirror could advise you to get that new mole on your cheek checked, recommend meditation in case your stress level is higher than usual and refer you to your doctor if there are any abnormal fluctuations in your blood pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Care for healthcare professionals\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>More than just for patients’ health, FRT can also be used for the wellbeing of healthcare practitioners themselves. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medscape.com\u002Fslideshow\u002F2022-lifestyle-burnout-6014664?reg=1\" target=\"_blank\">Medscape’s 2022 report\u003C\u002Fa> found that 47% of physicians feel burned out, 64% were colloquially depressed and 24% suffered from clinical depression. These can be identified via facial analysis and subsequently addressed, like suggesting stress-relieving measures like yoga or even vacations, before they further affect the health of healthcare providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Looking for mischief\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The applications of such technology can further be adapted to other areas within the healthcare system. For example, unlawful people like insurance imposters, drug seekers and criminals can be easily identified from a given database and dealt with accordingly.\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Touchless access control\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Access control will probably become the most typical use of facial recognition technology: it limits surface contact (and thus disease transmission) while allowing accelerated admission to office buildings, and can be used in many work-related areas: allowing dedicated team members to enter departments, operate turnstiles, or access other entry points with their face. As face recognition was developed to identify users even with a face mask on, it can be a valuable ally in pandemic situations. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Mask detection\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Facial recognition systems are also capable of recognising people not wearing \u002F not properly wearing a mask in a setting where it is mandatory, and notify the person, or the authorities if necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Does the ‘F’ in FRT stand for friend or foe?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The answer to this question is: it depends on who you are. While using FRT for aiding in identifying medical conditions and providing a safer work environment is laudable, the worrying implications of the same seemingly benevolent technology are manifold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fnational-cancer-institute-L8tWZT4CcVQ-unsplash-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"facial recognition doctor phone face human man person\" class=\"wp-image-48577\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fnational-cancer-institute-L8tWZT4CcVQ-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fnational-cancer-institute-L8tWZT4CcVQ-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fnational-cancer-institute-L8tWZT4CcVQ-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002Fnational-cancer-institute-L8tWZT4CcVQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the technology picks up steam and gets used more widely by clinics and physicians, the increasing amount of biometric data collected will present a real responsibility for those in its possession. Advertising companies would jump on this gold mine and make offers that many can’t refuse. Hackers will find new content to hold hostage and ask for ransoms. With greater amounts of personal data comes greater responsibility. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The healthcare system will have to double down on its efforts to securely store them and adhere to privacy protection rules like the \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hhs.gov\u002Fhipaa\u002Ffor-professionals\u002Fprivacy\u002Fspecial-topics\u002Fde-identification\u002Findex.html#standard\" target=\"_blank\">Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects “full-face photographs and any comparable images”\u003C\u002Fa> and offers the standard for de-identification so that such “health information is not individually identifiable”. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The inherent bias in databases\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp> Even with tightly controlled security over those data, the database itself might be put into question. As \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-bias-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">we discussed extensively in this article\u003C\u002Fa>, the AI behind such technology as facial recognition isn’t immune to human-induced bias. We identified three main reasons behind biased algorithms namely judgmental data sets, deeply ingrained social injustices and unconscious or conscious individual choices. These can subsequently affect the results of diagnostic methods relying on FRT by discriminating against \u003Ca aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fqz.com\u002F1367177\u002Fif-ai-is-going-to-be-the-worlds-doctor-it-needs-better-textbooks\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">patients based on their sex, ethnicity and even their accent\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even though facial recognition technology has shown impressive usage in healthcare, it still needs to be worked on to be a must-have tool for every physician. It’s just not there yet. It’s one thing to have a wide database to be able to identify conditions from but it’s another to have one which is representative of every human being, irrespective of their background. While definitely a challenging goal and one that will involve complex processes and years of hard work, isn’t this an ideal that we should aim to achieve? \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1712,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Facial recognition technology is upon us; phones and computers can now be unlocked with your specific facial structure using this gimmick, but it can also scarily be used to identify you from security cameras which are increasingly becoming omnipresent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",25353,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,69,70,5],[1598,1204,909,1717,1718],764,817,[],[],[531,1722,292,1723,1724,1725,1726],1707,2097,2735,3333,3657,[1728,53,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,1624,1223,944,1729,1730],"post-25311","tag-healthcare-system","tag-security",{"id":1713,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":142,"media_details":1732,"post":1698,"source_url":1752},{"width":144,"height":145,"file":1733,"sizes":1734,"image_meta":1751},"2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu.png",{"medium":1735,"large":1738,"thumbnail":1741,"medium_large":1744,"1536x1536":1745,"2048x2048":1748},{"file":1736,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1737},"124_tmf_illu-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-370x208.png",{"file":1739,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1740},"124_tmf_illu-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-768x432.png",{"file":1742,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1743},"124_tmf_illu-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-150x150.png",{"file":1739,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1740},{"file":1746,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1747},"124_tmf_illu-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-1536x864.png",{"file":1749,"width":981,"height":982,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1750},"124_tmf_illu-2048x1152.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F124_tmf_illu-scaled.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":1754,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1755,"related_posts_footer":1756,"related_posts":16},"deeppurple",[196,988,197],[1757,1758,1759],13650,14848,48505,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1708,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1761,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1706},"Facial recognition technology is upon us. It has great merits but can also be used in a number of scary ways hurting our privacy.",{"self":1763,"collection":1768,"about":1770,"author":1772,"replies":1774,"version-history":1777,"predecessor-version":1781,"wp:featuredmedia":1785,"wp:attachment":1788,"wp:term":1791,"curies":1802},[1764],{"href":1765,"targetHints":1766},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F25311",{"allow":1767},[27],[1769],{"href":214},[1771],{"href":217},[1773],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[1775],{"embeddable":41,"href":1776},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=25311",[1778],{"count":1779,"href":1780},39,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F25311\u002Frevisions",[1782],{"id":1783,"href":1784},48639,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F25311\u002Frevisions\u002F48639",[1786],{"embeddable":41,"href":1787},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F25353",[1789],{"href":1790},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=25311",[1792,1794,1796,1798,1800],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1793},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=25311",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1795},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=25311",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1797},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=25311",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1799},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=25311",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1801},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=25311",[1803],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1396,"date":1805,"date_gmt":1806,"guid":1807,"modified":1809,"modified_gmt":1810,"slug":1811,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1812,"title":1813,"content":1815,"excerpt":1817,"author":61,"featured_media":1819,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1820,"categories":1821,"tags":1823,"project_category":1824,"contact_email_category":1825,"yst_prominent_words":1826,"class_list":1829,"better_featured_image":1832,"acf":1851,"yoast_meta":1857,"_links":1859},"2022-09-15T10:00:00","2022-09-15T08:00:00",{"rendered":1808},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=47157&_wpnonce=f4c34b5348&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-09-19T10:29:50","2022-09-19T08:29:50","5-scenarios-of-how-your-health-data-can-be-or-was-already-stolen","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-scenarios-of-how-your-health-data-can-be-or-was-already-stolen",{"rendered":1814},"5 Scenarios Of How Your Health Data Can Be (Or Was Already) Stolen",{"rendered":1816,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>I really don’t want to sound like Aunt Karen, suspecting a culprit hiding behind every bush, but chances are your health data was or will be stolen. This is a strong statement and might sound paranoid. But, as the old joke goes: being paranoid doesn’t mean someone is not after you. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"463\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Fhealthcare-privacy-768x463.png\" alt=\"healthcare privacy tmf hacker laptop computer data \" class=\"wp-image-47163\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Fhealthcare-privacy-768x463.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Fhealthcare-privacy-1536x926.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Fhealthcare-privacy.png 1792w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here we will introduce five general scenarios of how unknown third-party actors can access your health data without your knowledge (and consent). We introduce these to paint a clearer picture of how medical data can change hands and help you prepare to avoid it – as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>You had a genetic test done\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You ordered a direct-to-consumer genetic test. It’s less than a hundred bucks and you gain valuable insights into your risks and tendencies. You and your primary care professional will use the results to fine-tune your lifestyle and dietary choices. Great value! \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcglife.com\u002Fblog\u002F23andme-sold-your-genetic-data-to-gsk-personalized-medicine-ethics\u002F\">you might have forgotten to read the fine print\u003C\u002Fa>, and agreed to share your data for research purposes upon registering before you actually ordered the test kit. Or, you were cautious, read the fine print, and refused to share your data. However, the testing company believes they are able to completely anonymise the data (which they can’t) and decided to sell it to a third party without your knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Or let’s say, you did everything right and the company did not sell your data, but you decided to register to a website in the hope of finding distant relatives and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fonezero.medium.com\u002Fthe-dna-database-containing-data-from-23-me-and-ancestry-is-vulnerable-to-attack-6fe5df2497b3\">their database gets hacked\u003C\u002Fa>, providing access to a million DNA profiles. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>You’ll have a cataract surgery\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You are preparing for cataract surgery and your doctor has ordered a retina scan. The hospital completes the scan, it is stored in their system, together with the rest of your health data. Your operation goes as planned, you are happy with the result. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And you will most likely never learn that the hospital decided to give away your data \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-36713308\">to an A.I. developer company\u003C\u002Fa> – without your consent, as it happened when London hospitals were found to share various patient data – without patient consent – with Google DeepMind, including one million eye scans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>You order a device from a country that has more lenient data protection standards\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You decided you need to monitor your heart health more closely and ordered a smart, portable ECG device from a foreign country, so you and your doctor will have more data to analyse without needing to set up more frequent appointments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What you may not be aware of is the fact that your data – stored on the company’s cloud servers and analysed by the company’s algorithms – \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wiley.law\u002Falert-Personal-Health-Data-at-Risk-of-Foreign-Exploitation\">can find its way to the faraway country’s government\u003C\u002Fa>, as according to their regulations, companies are obliged to share big-population data if requested by state authorities. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medical data protection standards \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fflex.flinders.edu.au\u002Ffile\u002Fc81182bb-2896-48da-95b8-bb943d3f7722\u002F1\u002FPrivacy%20and%20Security%20Issues%20of%20Wearables%20in%20Healthcare.pdf\">vary widely among countries\u003C\u002Fa>, another problem is that many of these devices \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ndss-symposium.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fndss2017_03A-1_Eberz_paper.pdf\">can be hacked as well\u003C\u002Fa>.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>You log in to access your medical data from home\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is really handy that you can access your medical records online, and even better that you have the option to contribute and upload data from wearables yourself. It helps you and your psychiatrist to keep your depression under control. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_308-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"hospital health data connected\" class=\"wp-image-37603\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_308-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_308-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_308-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_308-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What is not so great is that your hospital failed to invest enough in cyber-security, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaajournal.com\u002Fhealthcare-data-breach-statistics\u002F\">their system was breached\u003C\u002Fa>, resulting in a data leak affecting all of their patients, yourself included.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Or, your hospital did invest in cyber security, but one of the staff members \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthitsecurity.com\u002Ffeatures\u002Fcommon-types-of-social-engineering-phishing-attacks-in-healthcare\">was not vigilant enough\u003C\u002Fa>, assisting that nice new guy from IT to test the system and typing in their passwords – only to learn a week later that IT never hired anyone in the past couple months and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.trendmicro.com\u002Fvinfo\u002Fit\u002Fsecurity\u002Fnews\u002Fcyber-attacks\u002Fhealthcare-under-attack-stolen-medical-records\">an unknown third party stole the full database\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You will most likely never even hear about these issues, and will not connect the dots why your insurance company – to whom the unknown third party sold all the data – \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Finformationrightsandwrongs.com\u002F2014\u002F02\u002F24\u002Fhospital-records-sold-to-insurance-companies-in-breach-of-the-data-protection-act\u002F\">suddenly raises your premium\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>You asked for personal dietary advice based on your microbiome analysis\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You asked for personalised dietary advice from the company offering direct-to-consumer microbiome testing. You are not aware that the company sells \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fresearch.unc.edu\u002F2020\u002F05\u002F01\u002Fde-identified-coded-or-anonymous-how-do-i-know\u002F\">de-identified data\u003C\u002Fa>, which, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwi.mit.edu\u002Fnews\u002Fscientists-expose-new-vulnerabilities-security-personal-genetic-information\">under most circumstances\u003C\u002Fa> is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41467-019-10933-3\">not terribly difficult to re-identify\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A third-party buyer could be a social media platform, able to match your genetic profile to your stored cookies. You never gave your consent to the sale of your sensitive health data, but that never happened – argues the test provider, after all, the data they sold did not include your name or social security number. However, the targeted ads you start receiving could not have a different origin than the results of your microbiome test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You might also wonder how suddenly all social media platforms seem to target you with ads related to fertility treatments – curiously enough, just when you started to think about these issues. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Can your phone really listen to your conversations? Is your search history a goldmine for social media companies? Well, maybe you just booked an appointment with a fertility specialist in your hospital, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2022\u002F6\u002F16\u002F23170886\u002Fhospital-websites-meta-pixel-tracker-facebook-hipaa\">and their website also ran Meta Pixel\u003C\u002Fa>, and they simply recorded your IP address and what treatments you are seeking. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Can you ever be safe?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Probably no. This data-loaded, algorithms-supported era brings enormous health benefits. You never before could have learned about your higher melanoma risk without a DNA test, or would never be able to catch those first irregular heart rhythms without your smartwatch – potentially allowing you and your cardiologist to prevent a stroke or a heart attack. Digital health is impossible without your data, and missing out means losing its potential benefits. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some of these scenarios are entirely out of your control, loose cyber security measures at healthcare institutions can happen, but you still might need to go to a hospital sometimes, and they will have your data regardless. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You can, on the other hand, make informed decisions. You can be aware of the importance of reading the fine print, of understanding the difference between de-identified and anonymous data, you can be aware of the major differences countries require in privacy protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital health and loss of \u003Cem>some \u003C\u002Fem>privacy go hand in hand, but we need to understand what we are willing to sacrifice and what we can gain in exchange. If you feel like diving deeper into this topic, grab a copy of our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fprivacy-in-digital-health\">Hackers, Breaches, and the Value of Health Data\u003C\u002Fa> ebook, discussing all the different levels and facets of health data and privacy issues. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1818,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Chances are your health data was already stolen or will be at some point. This is how it happens. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",47191,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[1822,68,784,5],6261,[],[],[],[101,1827,1828,106,95,97,99],1727,2027,[1830,53,109,110,111,112,113,1831,114,794,117],"post-47157","category-forecast",{"id":1819,"alt_text":1833,"caption":64,"description":1833,"media_type":142,"media_details":1834,"post":1396,"source_url":1850},"TMF health data privacy stolen patient",{"width":1835,"height":1836,"file":1837,"sizes":1838,"image_meta":1849},1280,720,"2022\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_333-v2-01.png",{"medium":1839,"large":1842,"thumbnail":1845,"medium_large":1848},{"file":1840,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1841},"tmf_article_333-v2-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_333-v2-01-370x208.png",{"file":1843,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1844},"tmf_article_333-v2-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_333-v2-01-768x432.png",{"file":1846,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1847},"tmf_article_333-v2-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_333-v2-01-150x150.png",{"file":1843,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1844},{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_333-v2-01.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1852,"related_posts_footer":1853,"related_posts":16,"subtitle":64},[340,196,988],[1854,1855,1856],15693,22360,24930,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1814,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1858,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1812},"Chances are your health data was already stolen or will be at some point. This is how it happens, and whar you can do about it.",{"self":1860,"collection":1865,"about":1867,"author":1869,"replies":1871,"version-history":1874,"predecessor-version":1878,"wp:featuredmedia":1882,"wp:attachment":1885,"wp:term":1888,"curies":1899},[1861],{"href":1862,"targetHints":1863},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F47157",{"allow":1864},[27],[1866],{"href":214},[1868],{"href":217},[1870],{"embeddable":41,"href":220},[1872],{"embeddable":41,"href":1873},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=47157",[1875],{"count":1876,"href":1877},8,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F47157\u002Frevisions",[1879],{"id":1880,"href":1881},47275,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F47157\u002Frevisions\u002F47275",[1883],{"embeddable":41,"href":1884},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F47191",[1886],{"href":1887},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=47157",[1889,1891,1893,1895,1897],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1890},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=47157",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":1892},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=47157",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":1894},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=47157",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":1896},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=47157",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":1898},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=47157",[1900],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1255,"date":1902,"date_gmt":1903,"guid":1904,"modified":1906,"modified_gmt":1907,"slug":1908,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1909,"title":1910,"content":1912,"excerpt":1914,"author":61,"featured_media":1916,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1917,"categories":1918,"tags":1919,"project_category":1931,"contact_email_category":1932,"yst_prominent_words":1933,"class_list":1937,"better_featured_image":1950,"acf":1970,"yoast_meta":1973,"_links":1975},"2022-09-13T10:00:00","2022-09-13T08:00:00",{"rendered":1905},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=47151&_wpnonce=f4c34b5348&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-09-19T11:00:20","2022-09-19T09:00:20","the-first-database-of-tech-giants-collaborating-with-healthcare-what-can-we-learn","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-first-database-of-tech-giants-collaborating-with-healthcare-what-can-we-learn",{"rendered":1911},"The First Database Of Tech Giants Collaborating With Healthcare: What Can We Learn?",{"rendered":1913,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>We keep repeating for years that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-2022-healthcare-power-ranking-of-tech-giants\u002F\">tech giants are marching into healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. This has become really pronounced in the past few weeks, when we hardly saw a day without a major, healthcare-related announcement from one of these companies, like Amazon’s $3.9B \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbsnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fftc-investigating-amazon-purchase-one-medical-1\u002F\">OneMedical acquisition\u003C\u002Fa>, or the\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Fbusiness\u002Fretail-consumer\u002Famazon-eyes-entering-japan-prescription-drug-market-nikkei-2022-09-05\u002F\"> plans for entering the Japanese prescription drug market\u003C\u002Fa>; but we can also mention ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2022-08-09\u002Fbytedance-pays-1-5-billion-for-hospital-chain-in-health-foray\">acquiring a private hospital chain for $1.5B\u003C\u002Fa>. And it’s not only tech giants, but retail giants too, that are planning to disrupt the healthcare landscape: CVS Health just confirmed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wsj.com\u002Farticles\u002Fcvs-announces-deal-to-acquire-home-healthcare-company-signify-11662411855\">an $8B takeover of Signify Health\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So what is happening and what does it mean for the future? How will the billions and billions of dollars these companies spend on establishing positions in medicine transform the ways healthcare happens? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These collaborations – while never exactly kept in secret – are not mapped out, so it is almost impossible to form a picture if it is a growing trend or what kinds of healthcare providers the tech giants cooperate with. It is even harder to learn the actual scope of these cooperations, as both companies and healthcare institutions communicate in the vaguest terms of their goals. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These were the driving questions behind the latest project of our data analysts when they started mapping out how tech giants collaborate with hospitals and what it means in terms of sharing data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What hospitals and tech giants have to offer\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At the current state of affairs, tech giants and hospitals (medical establishments) both have their unique edges. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Tech giants have vast experience in developing user-friendly technologies that actually find their way to the mainstream – an important factor as healthcare is becoming ever-more tech-focused. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, healthcare institutions have medical knowledge and experience, legal and regulatory expertise, not to mention a crucial element: medical data. Data is extremely important and valuable in this equation, as machine learning, and deep learning algorithms, artificial intelligence can’t develop without huge amounts of quality medical data. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>This is what the current collaboration landscape looks like\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We collected all collaborations we could find since 2016 that include the exchange of data to form a clear picture of what is happening in this field. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002F0830_tech_giants_collab_2-01-2.png\"\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002F0830_tech_giants_collab_2-01-2-768x465.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47283\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002F0830_tech_giants_collab_2-01-2-768x465.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002F0830_tech_giants_collab_2-01-2.png 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cfigcaption>To see the full-size picture, right-click on the \u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Ftech-giants-hospital-collaborations-TMF_small.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\u003C\u002Fa>image\u003C\u002Fa>, and open it in a new browser tab.\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The infographic includes the partners – the tech giant and the healthcare collaborator -, the scope of the cooperation, whether it is finished or ongoing (a significant majority belongs to the latter), and the country where it happens.  To see the full-size picture, right-click on the \u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F09\u002Ftech-giants-hospital-collaborations-TMF_small.png\"\u003C\u002Fa>image\u003C\u002Fa>, and open it in a new browser tab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-masterplan-for-healthcare\u002F\">Google\u003C\u002Fa> tops the list with 12 projects, focusing on A.I. and cloud services. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmicrosoft-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\">Microsoft\u003C\u002Fa> has seven collaborations, but the fields are the same: artificial intelligence and cloud services. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Famazons-march-into-healthcare-a-2021-update\u002F\">Amazon\u003C\u002Fa> is listed with five initiatives, which seem to be the most diverse: their collaborations cover areas from voice assist services in hospitals to developing cancer vaccines, from developing a digital health ecosystem to transferring machine learning algorithms to the cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What can we learn from the data? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are four basic conclusions at first glance. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The United States is the undisputed center \u003C\u002Fstrong>of such collaborations. This is not surprising for the country which has the most developed and financially strong tech sector, while the healthcare system is extremely expensive and inaccessible for a significant part of society. Following the 25 US-based projects, two come from the European Union and one from the UK, two from India, and one from Australia and Singapore, showing huge geographical imbalances. \u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Descriptions and publicly available information about the actual exchange of data or the purpose of the collaborations are very often vague\u003C\u002Fstrong>. This is far from reassuring, a much clearer declaration of what is happening with what kinds of data would be essential. \u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare-2021-summary\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>All Tech Giants\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> are involved in at least one collaboration\u003C\u002Fstrong>, and most of these focus either on A.I. (machine learning, deep learning, etc) or cloud services, although they are secretive on specific goals.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>2022 might be a record year in terms of such cooperative projects\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These collaborations are exciting from the futuristic point of view, and we will continue to cover what tech giants do in healthcare and will follow up on these (and new) cooperations. Similarly to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffda-approved-ai-based-algorithms\u002F\">steadily growing database of FDA-approved A.I.-based algorithms\u003C\u002Fa>, the collab database will be regularly updated and we will report back at regular intervals. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, the fact of how little there is to know about the details of these deals is an important limiting factor, only allowing speculations on what new services or products are going to grow out from these ventures. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1915,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>How will the billions and billions of dollars these companies spend on establishing positions in medicine transform the ways healthcare happens?\u003C\u002Fp>\n",33787,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[274,68,637,525,784,5,641],[1920,1921,1922,284,1923,1204,1924,1925,1926,76,1927,1069,1928,1929,1930,654],7625,671,7627,7629,7631,180,7635,7637,7529,595,7621,[926,657,91,92],[],[101,664,1934,1935,95,1351,1084,1936,531],2359,2739,1595,[1938,53,109,110,111,112,113,301,114,669,537,794,117,673,1939,1940,1941,311,1942,1223,1943,1944,1945,122,1946,1091,1947,1948,1949,685,960,687,136,137],"post-47151","tag-cooperation","tag-machine-learning","tag-cloud-services","tag-healthcare-it","tag-google-in-healthcare","tag-collaboration-2","tag-amazon-in-healthcare","tag-microsoft-healthcare","tag-future-of-healthcare","tag-medical-technology","tag-medical-tech",{"id":1916,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1951,"media_type":142,"media_details":1952,"post":1125,"source_url":1969},"Tech Giants In Healthcare",{"width":144,"height":145,"file":1953,"sizes":1954,"image_meta":1968},"2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_256_b-01-1.png",{"medium":1955,"large":1958,"thumbnail":1961,"medium_large":1964,"1536x1536":1965},{"file":1956,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1957},"tmf_article_256_b-01-1-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_256_b-01-1-370x208.png",{"file":1959,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1960},"tmf_article_256_b-01-1-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_256_b-01-1-768x432.png",{"file":1962,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1963},"tmf_article_256_b-01-1-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_256_b-01-1-150x150.png",{"file":1959,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1960},{"file":1966,"width":333,"height":334,"mime-type":152,"source_url":1967},"tmf_article_256_b-01-1-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_256_b-01-1-1536x864.png",{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_256_b-01-1.png",{"cta_type":194,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1971,"related_posts_footer":1972,"related_posts":16,"subtitle":64},[197,988,196],[1127,1126,1047],{"yoast_wpseo_title":1911,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1974,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1909},"How will these collaborations and the billions of dollars tech giants spend on establishing positions in medicine transform the ways healthcare happens?",{"self":1976,"collection":1981,"about":1983,"author":1985,"replies":1987,"version-history":1990,"predecessor-version":1994,"wp:featuredmedia":1998,"wp:attachment":2001,"wp:term":2004,"curies":2015},[1977],{"href":1978,"targetHints":1979},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F47151",{"allow":1980},[27],[1982],{"href":214},[1984],{"href":217},[1986],{"embeddable":41,"href":220},[1988],{"embeddable":41,"href":1989},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=47151",[1991],{"count":1992,"href":1993},15,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F47151\u002Frevisions",[1995],{"id":1996,"href":1997},47295,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F47151\u002Frevisions\u002F47295",[1999],{"embeddable":41,"href":2000},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F33787",[2002],{"href":2003},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=47151",[2005,2007,2009,2011,2013],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":2006},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=47151",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":2008},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=47151",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":2010},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=47151",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":2012},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=47151",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":2014},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=47151",[2016],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":2018,"date":2019,"date_gmt":2020,"guid":2021,"modified":2023,"modified_gmt":2024,"slug":2025,"status":52,"type":53,"link":2026,"title":2027,"content":2029,"excerpt":2031,"author":413,"featured_media":2033,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":2034,"categories":2035,"tags":2036,"project_category":2040,"contact_email_category":2041,"yst_prominent_words":2042,"class_list":2046,"better_featured_image":2051,"acf":2070,"yoast_meta":2076,"_links":2079},39957,"2022-03-03T10:00:00","2022-03-03T09:00:00",{"rendered":2022},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=39957&_wpnonce=73a81c3423&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-03-11T09:36:37","2022-03-11T08:36:37","how-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare",{"rendered":2028},"How The Metaverse Could (Or Could Not) Transform Healthcare",{"rendered":2030,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>If you’ve browsed the internet in the last couple of months, the term ‘metaverse’ is likely to have been thrown at you at least once. Facebook \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rebranded itself\u003C\u002Fa> after the concept and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">other companies\u003C\u002Fa> are adopting the metaverse with their own spin; betting heavily that it will be the next iteration of the internet where we will work and play alike. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As healthcare increasingly incorporates an online segment in the digital health era, one cannot help but wonder how – or even if – this touted future of the internet will influence this sphere. As such, we decided to step into the metaverse and contemplate how it can factor in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What is the metaverse?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is a tricky question as there is not a general consensus on the definition of metaverse. Microsoft \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">calls it\u003C\u002Fa> “a persistent digital world that is inhabited by digital twins of people, places and things”; while Mark Zuckerberg \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">says that\u003C\u002Fa> in the metaverse, “you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is Microsoft's Metaverse?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FQw6UCwCt4bE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The term ‘metaverse’ itself isn’t totally new. It was first coined by author Neal Stephenson in his classic sci-fi book \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodreads.com\u002Fbook\u002Fshow\u002F40651883-snow-crash\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Snow Crash\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> published in 1992. In it, the Metaverse represents a virtual reality (VR)-based successor to the internet which is populated by users’ virtual avatars. There have been other depictions of such an internet successor such as the OASIS in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodreads.com\u002Fbook\u002Fshow\u002F9969571-ready-player-one\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Ready Player One\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>; but they are similar in that they represent a new, more interactive way for people to interact online in a thriving, VR-enabled virtual world with its own economy and communities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some would argue that metaverses \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnewsletters\u002F2022-02-11\u002Fthe-metaverse-makes-no-sense-and-here-s-why\" target=\"_blank\">have been around for decades\u003C\u002Fa> if one is to go by the virtual world concept. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsecondlife.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Second Life\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>, launched in 2003, is an example; while others like \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Fortnite\u003C\u002Fem> are often considered as “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fmetaverse-second-life\" target=\"_blank\">proto-metaverses\u003C\u002Fa>”. But the main idea that Big Tech is pushing forward is extending activities that we are already performing in real life to the digital one more seamlessly, where franchises from Marvel to \u003Cem>The Lord of the Rings\u003C\u002Fem> intermingle and where people smoothly go to work and entertain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What the metaverse would look like in a healthcare setting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Traditional access to the metaverse has been depicted through a VR headset; and this is exactly what Meta envisions with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamesindustry.biz\u002Farticles\u002F2021-12-03-oculus-quest-to-rebrand-as-meta-quest-in-2022\" target=\"_blank\">its rebranded Meta Quest arm\u003C\u002Fa>, which develops VR hardware and software. Going by VR alone, the approach holds \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">tremendous potential in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. There is a growing number of studies that already point to VR as being a beneficial, drug-free alternative for therapeutic pathways, whether it’s in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stgeorges.nhs.uk\u002Fnewsitem\u002Fvr-headsets-relaxing-patients-during-surgery-at-st-georges\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reducing post-surgical pain\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-help-women-get-through-childbirth-with-less-pain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">making childbirth less painful\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apa.org\u002Fmonitor\u002Fjulaug05\u002Fcure\" target=\"_blank\">treating phobias\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"One-Minute Challenge: Virtual Reality - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIVfmkds2PcQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this is different from the concept of the metaverse. In the latter, instead of using a VR headset only for therapy, one would meet their therapist through the device as a digital avatar; have their consultation held in a virtual office; and can even head to a virtual pharmacy to order their prescription medicine (or VR app). Following that, they can meet up with fellow patient communities to share, in their avatar form, their treatment progress; and discuss new developments pertinent to their ailments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This offers a case to enhance the user experience as compared to online patient forums or current telemedical visits which happen through a flat screen. As such visits \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have become commonplace\u003C\u002Fa>, equipping them with a better interface could entice healthcare providers to extend their services to the metaverse. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, with the interconnectedness that seems to be integral to this “new internet”, a patient’s digital avatar \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\">will carry their digital medical\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\" target=\"_blank\"> \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\">data\u003C\u002Fa> collected from direct-to-consumer services and wearables – essentially any digital data – and can more easily share them to their physician in the healthcare metaverse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Is providing healthcare in the metaverse feasible?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As enticing as the prospect of extending healthcare to the metaverse sounds, we must consider its feasibility. The sheer volume of personal health data that will be involved represents \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a security and privacy concern\u003C\u002Fa>. One technology that has been touted to address such concerns is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-the-hell-is-blockchain-what-does-it-mean-for-healthcare-and-pharma\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blockchain\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Companies like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.burstiq.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">BurstIQ\u003C\u002Fa> are already leveraging this technology to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\" target=\"_blank\">assist healthcare institutions\u003C\u002Fa> in addressing healthcare themes such as risk assessment, patient engagement and secure handling of personal health data. Having a transparent approach to handling such sensitive information can help build trust for patients to head to the metaverse for medical purposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, implementing this approach will represent a challenge of its own. Current metaverse contenders like \u003Cem>Fortnight \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>aren’t interoperable, neither is Meta’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oculus.com\u002Fexperiences\u002Fquest\u002F2532035600194083\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cem>Horizon Worlds\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> with Microsoft’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cem>Mesh\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>. One cannot bring content obtained, bought or created in \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>to \u003Cem>Horizon Worlds \u003C\u002Fem>and vice versa; and this goes against the concept of the metaverse in the first place. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Given how healthcare and electronic health systems have \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Finteroperability-where-its-headed-and-where-it-leaders-will-be-investing\" target=\"_blank\">a notorious legacy of interoperability issues\u003C\u002Fa>, thinking that the metaverse will take those woes away might be a pipedream. Already we are seeing separate visions and differing versions of the metaverse from Big Tech that don’t talk with each other, leading us to think in terms of ‘metaverses’ instead of a single interoperable metaverse. These \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnewsletters\u002F2022-02-11\u002Fthe-metaverse-makes-no-sense-and-here-s-why\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">logistics issues\u003C\u002Fa> cannot be taken lightly, especially when it comes to healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On top of that comes practical issues with access to and handling VR headsets that pose as enablers of the metaverse. At $300, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oculus.com\u002Fquest-2\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meta Quest 2\u003C\u002Fa> is arguably the most affordable way to get quality VR content. But even that price, significantly lower than other competitors’ headsets, might be a barrier to access the metaverse. Even those who adopt such a device might encounter other hurdles with the setting up the device; or simply having a 500g load strapped to one’s forehead might not be totally comfortable for extended periods of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s so much easier to communicate with people through phones and\u002For social media sites that envisioning all this happening in the metaverse seems like a far-fetched sci-fi idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>When life imitates art…\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It should not be forgotten that metaverse concepts from sources like \u003Cem>Snow Crash \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Ready Player One\u003C\u002Fem>, which have clearly inspired Big tech, are set in a dystopian backdrop. And these might be drawing eerie parallels in the real-life metaverses. There have already been \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F16\u002F1042516\u002Fthe-metaverse-has-a-groping-problem\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reports of sexual harrasments\u003C\u002Fa> in Meta’s Horizon Worlds app and other online virtual worlds. If tech companies cannot ensure a safe place in the metaverse at such an early stage, it raises questions as to how they will ensure it when (or if) more people engage with the platform. This does not paint a very promising picture of the internet’s so-called successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the recent push for the metaverse felt nothing like an organic move. The Facebook Company’s rebranding to Meta might very well have been a diversion tactic following \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-58784615\" target=\"_blank\">years of bad press\u003C\u002Fa>. And by betting on and overhyping something as vague as the metaverse and keeping it so \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fez.substack.com\u002Fp\u002Fmark-zuckerberg-is-a-liar-and-hes?utm_source=url\" target=\"_blank\">makes it impossible to fail\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s important to know the distinction between the metaverse and the VR experience as we highlighted here. A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But for the same to happen for the metaverse too, we are so far away; and it might not even be worth the effort now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":2032,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But can the same happen with the metaverse too? \u003C\u002Fp>\n",40163,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[274,68,524,276,5],[2037,2038,2039],7523,7525,637,[],[],[531,2043,2044,2045,106,100],1853,2345,2621,[2047,53,109,110,111,112,113,301,114,536,304,117,2048,2049,2050],"post-39957","tag-metaverse","tag-online-healthcare","tag-telehealth",{"id":2033,"alt_text":2052,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":142,"media_details":2053,"post":2018,"source_url":2069},"Metaverse digital health",{"width":2054,"height":2055,"file":2056,"sizes":2057,"image_meta":2068},1340,754,"2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small.png",{"medium":2058,"large":2061,"thumbnail":2064,"medium_large":2067},{"file":2059,"width":177,"height":178,"mime-type":152,"source_url":2060},"Metaverse-tmf-small-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-370x208.png",{"file":2062,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":2063},"Metaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png",{"file":2065,"width":175,"height":175,"mime-type":152,"source_url":2066},"Metaverse-tmf-small-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-150x150.png",{"file":2062,"width":180,"height":181,"mime-type":152,"source_url":2063},{"aperture":186,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":186,"copyright":64,"focal_length":186,"iso":186,"shutter_speed":186,"title":64,"orientation":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":2071,"related_posts_footer":2072,"related_posts":16},[988,196],[2073,2074,2075],13109,13949,15503,{"yoast_wpseo_title":2077,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":2078,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":2026},"How The Metaverse Could (Or Could Not) Transform Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But can the same happen with the metaverse too?",{"self":2080,"collection":2085,"about":2087,"author":2089,"replies":2091,"version-history":2094,"predecessor-version":2097,"wp:featuredmedia":2101,"wp:attachment":2104,"wp:term":2107,"curies":2118},[2081],{"href":2082,"targetHints":2083},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957",{"allow":2084},[27],[2086],{"href":214},[2088],{"href":217},[2090],{"embeddable":41,"href":474},[2092],{"embeddable":41,"href":2093},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=39957",[2095],{"count":413,"href":2096},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957\u002Frevisions",[2098],{"id":2099,"href":2100},40807,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957\u002Frevisions\u002F40807",[2102],{"embeddable":41,"href":2103},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F40163",[2105],{"href":2106},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=39957",[2108,2110,2112,2114,2116],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":2109},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=39957",{"taxonomy":242,"embeddable":41,"href":2111},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=39957",{"taxonomy":245,"embeddable":41,"href":2113},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=39957",{"taxonomy":248,"embeddable":41,"href":2115},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=39957",{"taxonomy":251,"embeddable":41,"href":2117},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=39957",[2119],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},[],[],1786620373227]