What You Should Know:

• Cedars-Sinai is expanding virtual healthcare for children and Spanish speakers in California through its mobile app Cedars-Sinai Connect, a fast-growing online option that allows patients to quickly access top healthcare professionals for acute, chronic and preventive care.

Innovative Healthcare Solutions: Expanded Access for Children and Spanish Speakers at Cedars-Sinai

Children aged 3-17 can now conveniently access urgent healthcare services from Cedars-Sinai providers for issues like coughs, colds, flu, or rashes. Families have the option of on-demand visits 24/7 or scheduled appointments on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Existing pediatricians stay informed through Cedars-Sinai’s electronic health record.

Spanish-speaking patients aged 3 and above can now opt for a Spanish-language app. Spanish-speaking healthcare providers are available for scheduled visits on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Translators are also available 24/7 for on-demand care if a Spanish-speaking provider isn’t accessible. Additionally, Spanish-speaking adults can receive primary care in their preferred language to manage conditions like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and obesity.

These new care options for children and Spanish speakers expand upon the success of Cedars-Sinai Connect. Since its launch in fall 2023, over 8,000 patients across California—from San Diego to Sacramento—have utilized Cedars-Sinai’s services through more than 10,500 virtual visits. Cedars-Sinai Connect leverages AI technology from K Health to streamline administrative tasks like data entry, allowing doctors to dedicate more time to patient care. K Health empowers patients to manage acute, chronic, and preventive care needs by leveraging medical knowledge and real patient experiences.

“Cedars-Sinai Connect has already helped thousands of new and existing patients easily access the high-quality care for which Cedars-Sinai is known, from home,” said Jill Martin, executive vice president of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. “The platform is helping us extend that opportunity to even more people throughout California who are coming to Cedars-Sinai for convenient acute or chronic care. These patients also gain access to our broad network of specialists through referrals when appropriate.”

What You Should Know:

– Q1 2024 Digital health funding in the U.S. reached $2.7B across 133 deals, with an average deal size of $20.6M, according to Rock Health’s Q1 2024 Digital Health Funding Report. 

– The report reveals the digital health funding landscape has undergone a significant shift in Q1 2024, marking a transition from a period of rapid growth to a more measured environment focused on long-term sustainability. This signals a shift towards smaller check sizes, indicating a more cautious approach from investors and a focus on companies demonstrating concrete value before securing larger investments.

Creative Financing and Unlabeled Rounds

The trend of creative financing measures seen in 2023 continues in 2024. Unlabeled funding rounds, which provide companies with capital without a specific funding stage designation, remain popular, accounting for 48% of deals in Q1. Additionally, companies are exploring alternative financing options like debt facilities with potential equity conversion, such as DecisionRx’s $100 million deal with Carlyle.

Significant AI Investments

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be a hotbed for investment, with 40% of Q1’s funding ($1.1 billion) going to AI-enabled companies. This surge is fueled by successful fundraising rounds by companies like Abridge (Series C – $150 million) and Zephyr AI (Series A – $111 million). The growth of AI in healthcare applications like clinical decision support and precision medicine is attracting significant investor interest.

Focus on Real-World Outcomes

A critical shift in 2024 is the increased focus on demonstrable outcomes. Investors are demanding evidence that digital health solutions deliver measurable improvements in patient care. This trend highlights the need for standardized methods of measuring and reporting outcomes, especially as solutions address complex conditions with diverse patient populations. Companies like Codametrix ($40 million) stand out for their commitment to evidence-based outcomes research.

Public Market Shakeup, Delisting and Reset Expectations

The pool of publicly traded digital health companies is shrinking. Q1 2024 saw three delistings, following nine in 2022. This brings the total down to 43, a significant drop from the 2021 peak of 54. The public digital health market is undergoing a significant transformation. Delistings of companies like Science 37 and Better Therapeutics have shrunk the publicly traded cohort from its 2021 peak. 

This shift recalibrates expectations for startups aiming for an IPO exit. Companies like Veradigm delisting from the Nasdaq while simultaneously acquiring another company illustrate the changing landscape. Delistings also impact the valuations of private companies. Public market performance influences investor expectations for future returns, leading to potential downshifts in startup valuations. Publicly traded companies with strong financial performance like margin management and revenue visibility set a new benchmark for success.

Navigating the New Normal

• Preparing for Public Exits: Companies targeting an IPO or public exit need to adapt. Realistic expectations around exit strategies and valuations are crucial. Some may even explore dual-track processes, considering both IPO and M&A options.
• Shifting from Growth to Sustainability: Financial planning and forecasting need to become more conservative, resembling those of publicly traded companies. This shift from growth-focused projections to market-aligned guidance prepares companies for long-term success regardless of exit strategy (IPO or private sale).

The Road Ahead: Adapting and Innovating

The digital health industry is entering a new era characterized by greater scrutiny, a focus on outcomes, and the need for sustainable business models. This challenging environment also presents opportunities for companies that can adapt and innovate. Building a culture of data-driven decision-making, prioritizing outcomes measurement, and exploring alternative financing options will be crucial for success.

“Innovating in healthcare is hard, but hard can be your moat”

– Halle Tecco, Startup Founder and Investor, Founder of Rock Health

What You Should Know: 

– Augmedix (AUGX), a leader in AI-powered medical documentation, and Andor Health, a cloud-based platform for virtual care communication, have announced a strategic partnership to streamline workflows and improve patient care. 

– The strategic integration aims to revolutionize virtual care by leveraging ambient AI to automate note creation within the Andor Health platform, ThinkAndor®.

Focus on Clinician Efficiency and Patient Care

Augmedix’s AI technology will automatically generate medical notes during virtual consultations within ThinkAndor®. This frees up valuable time for clinicians, allowing them to focus on patient interaction and diagnosis. By streamlining documentation processes, clinicians can dedicate more time to each patient, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.

Powering the Collaboration: ThinkAndor® and Augmedix

The integration leverages the strengths of both platforms:

• ThinkAndor® by Andor Health: Offers AI-powered communication tools and real-time insights from electronic medical records (EMRs) to support efficient virtual consultations.
• Augmedix Platform: Utilizes ambient AI to convert natural conversations between clinicians and patients into structured medical notes within seconds of the virtual visit.

The Role of Google Cloud MedLM

The collaboration will also leverage Google Cloud MedLM, a suite of AI models specifically designed for the healthcare industry. MedLM’s capabilities will further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the AI-generated medical notes.

“This integration demonstrates Augmedix’s commitment to serve the broadest spectrum of specialties and care settings within the market,” said Manny Krakaris, CEO of Augmedix. “The Andor-Augmedix approach is focused on unobtrusive integration wherein the ambient documentation is part of the native virtual workflow and end-user experience paradigm. Deep integration will also enable optimized upstream audio ingestion that generates the highest quality downstream note output quality scores.” 

The physical therapy profession, encompassing both Physical Therapists (PTs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs), is navigating through a period of unprecedented challenge. Recent data highlights concerning trends – not only did the sector see the departure of 15,000 PTs, or 11% of the existing workforce, between 2021 and 2022, but there has also been a consistent 5% annual decrease in applicants to PT programs over the last three to four years. These developments signal an urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions. The factors contributing to this decline are complex, involving burnout, a desire for better work-life balance, and a shift towards careers that demand less physical and emotional strain. As we progress through 2024, the imperative to adapt and innovate within the sector, fully recognizing the contributions and needs of both PTs and PTAs, has never been more critical.

Addressing Burnout with Innovative Care Models

Burnout significantly contributes to the workforce challenge, with traditional care models demanding extensive in-person sessions that exacerbate stress and job dissatisfaction. It’s essential to look beyond merely increasing caseload efficiency. Transforming the care model to enhance PTs’ working conditions and job satisfaction is crucial, directly influencing patient care quality.

Introducing Hybrid Care Models

Hybrid care models represent a vital innovation, merging traditional in-person treatments with digital health solutions for a more flexible approach. This innovation aims to alleviate the pressures on PTs by:

• Reducing administrative burdens, freeing PTs to concentrate on patient care
• Supporting flexible work arrangements to improve work-life balance and combat burnout
• Enabling remote patient monitoring, optimizing patient outcomes while managing workloads effectively

Such models do not advocate for PTs to increase their patient numbers simultaneously but to manage them more effectively, especially those needing direct intervention. Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) emerges as a key player in this scenario. RTM bridges the gap between clinic and home, offering PTs detailed insights into patient progress. This facilitates timely interventions without expanding direct contact hours, potentially preventing PT burnout.

Advancements in Digital Health – Mobility as a Health Indicator

Crucially, digital health advancements now allow for the nuanced monitoring of mobility, providing insights into overall health well beyond basic activity tracking. Analyzing mobility under real-life conditions unveils subtle changes that can guide more personalized and proactive care strategies. This capability empowers PTs to act precisely when needed, enhancing outcomes and sustaining their workload.

Moreover, technology fosters a more engaging experience for patients. Engaged patients are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans, leading to better health outcomes and a more rewarding professional environment for PTs, who witness the tangible benefits of their work.

Economic Pressures and Technological Solutions 

The healthcare sector, facing increasing economic pressures, finds a viable solution in technologies that enhance clinic operations and patient management. These technologies, especially with the advent of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), offer significant economic benefits. By allowing for the reimbursement of non-physiological data monitoring, RTM expands the scope of billable services beyond traditional physician-led care, directly impacting the financial well-being of healthcare providers. Adopting such innovations not only addresses operational efficiencies but also represents a strategic approach to navigating financial challenges, ultimately supporting the sustainability and growth of healthcare services.

Leveraging Data for Enhanced Patient Care

Employing technology to access real-time data on patient progress revolutionizes PT care delivery. Tools that offer insights into patients’ mobility and progress enable PTs to craft informed care plans, swiftly adjust interventions, and focus on those in immediate need. This approach not only boosts care delivery efficiency but also significantly improves patient outcomes.

Looking Towards a Sustainable Future

The future growth and sustainability of the physical therapy profession hinge on embracing change. By adopting technology-driven care models that streamline operations, enhance patient engagement, and deliver actionable insights, we can navigate the challenges of a diminishing workforce and therapist burnout.

A collaborative effort among healthcare providers, tech innovators, and educational bodies to reinvent PT service delivery is imperative. Such collective action promises to establish a healthcare ecosystem that supports the well-being of both patients and therapists alike, ensuring the enduring vitality of the physical therapy profession as an indispensable element of healthcare services.

About Patrick Tarnowski, PT, MBA, Chief Commercial Officer, OneStep

As Chief Commercial Officer at OneStep, Pat is accountable for the company’s US market entry through strategic provider partnerships. His deep healthcare experience as a leader in health plans, health systems, medical devices, startups and digital care delivery support and enable OneStep’s growth and scale. As an entrepreneur, Pat has successfully launched and scaled care delivery companies, digital solutions that focused on health and wellbeing, disease management and virtual care and worked with providers to achieve success in value-based payment models. He received his degree in physical therapy from Boston University and his master’s in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. A lifelong learner, Pat has also held several academic appointments and is a grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation’s SBIR seed fund and served as an Industry Mentor for their I-Corp Innovation program. He has been the principal investigator in numerous clinical studies and is the Vice President of Professional Practice of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association’s and the Minnesota Cancer Alliance Steering Committee.

What You Should Know: 

– Define Ventures, the leading early-stage investor in digital health companies, announced today the appointment of Frank Williams as Venture Partner. 

– Williams, a seasoned entrepreneur and healthcare executive, brings a wealth of experience to the firm, playing a key role in supporting and scaling their portfolio companies.

Williams Bio/Background

Williams boasts an impressive career in healthcare, highlighted by his co-founding role at Evolent Health.  During his tenure as CEO and Chairman, Evolent completed an IPO, achieved over $1 billion in annual revenue, and served more than 15 million patients.  Prior to Evolent, Williams served as Chairman and CEO of The Advisory Board Company, leading them through another successful IPO and significant revenue growth.

Williams’ current commitments demonstrate his continued dedication to healthcare innovation. He sits on the boards of influential companies like Helix, Nayya, and Wellth, and holds leadership positions at UCSF, ICER, and Brown University.

Define Ventures: Investing in the Future of Digital Health

With $800 million in assets under management, Define Ventures partners with digital health companies at various stages, from incubation to Series B funding.  They are known for their “high conviction, hands-on approach,” offering entrepreneurs a valuable network and expertise to drive tangible results.  Define Ventures has partnered with over 20 companies, including industry leaders like Hims & Hers and Unite Us.

What You Should Know: 

– Model N (NYSE: MODN), a leading provider of revenue optimization and compliance solutions for the life sciences and high-tech industries, has announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners (“Vista”).

– Under the terms of the agreement, Vista will acquire all outstanding shares of Model N common stock for $30.00 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.25 billion.

– The transaction is expected to close in mid-2024, subject to customary approvals and clearances. Upon completion, Model N will become a privately held company and its shares will be delisted from any public stock exchange.

About Model N

Model N is a leader in revenue optimization and compliance solutions, empowering companies in the pharmaceutical, medical technology, and high-tech sectors. Their intelligent platform integrates technology, data, analytics, and expert services to provide clients with deep industry insights and control over their revenue streams.

Model N’s cloud-based solution automates pricing, incentive, and contract decisions, helping businesses scale profitability and achieve revenue growth.  Trusted by over 120 countries, their solutions are used by leading companies like Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Stryker, Seagate Technology, Broadcom, and Microchip Technology.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Vista, which is the culmination of a robust sale process led by our Board of Directors with the assistance of our financial and legal advisors,” said Baljit Dail, Chairman of the Model N Board. “As the Board considered the long-term path for Model N, we unanimously determined that the transaction with Vista represents the best opportunity to deliver compelling, certain, and immediate cash value to our stockholders and is in their best interest in light of the challenges faced by Model N as a standalone public company.”

What You Should Know: 

– Grow Therapy, a mental health technology company focused on provider-centric care, raises $88M in Series C funding led by Sequoia Capital. The round included participation from Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, PLUS Capital, and a unique group of celebrity investors including Anna Kendrick, Lily Collins, and prominent athletes.

– The funding fuels Grow Therapy’s mission to make high-quality mental healthcare accessible to all.

Building a More Accessible Mental Healthcare System

Grow Therapy is a comprehensive platform to improve access to high-quality mental healthcare.  Their three-sided approach provides integrated solutions for patients, providers, and payers:

• Patients: Grow Therapy offers seamless therapist matching, insurance billing support, secure electronic health records (EHR), and telehealth capabilities.
• Providers: Therapists on the platform benefit from features like patient matching, in-session telehealth support, streamlined EHR with note-taking tools, and access to a supportive professional community.
• Payers: Grow Therapy partners with insurers to offer value-based care models, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality mental health services for covered populations, including Medicaid and Medicare members.

Introducing the Next Generation of Mental Healthcare Technology

Grow Therapy is unveiling significant advancements to its platform, including:

• Seamless Telehealth Infrastructure: Integrated with the Grow Therapy EHR, this new system allows therapists to manage treatment plans, goals, and notes directly within the telehealth platform.
• Enhanced Measurement-Informed Care: This best-in-class system gathers and analyzes clinical assessments, providing visualizations and data-driven prompts to support high-quality care decisions.
• Streamlined Note-Taking: Grow’s EHR system received major upgrades, offering customizable workflows, treatment plan prompts, and functionalities aligned with leading measurement-informed care protocols.
• Advanced Patient Matching: Grow Therapy’s matching algorithm has been refined to ensure optimal compatibility between patients and therapists. Factors considered include therapist availability, specialty, diversity, and most importantly, care quality.
• Expanded Support for Providers: Grow Therapy is investing in its clinical excellence program, offering therapists ongoing learning opportunities and fostering a supportive community for professional growth and collaboration.

A Track Record of Success

Since its founding in 2020, Grow Therapy has achieved impressive results:

• Over 3 Million Patient Encounters: 94% of these encounters were conducted within a patient’s insurance network.
• Industry-Leading Patient Satisfaction: Grow Therapy boasts an 85 Net Promoter Score and delivers clinically significant symptom reduction for moderate to severe cases (around 50%).
• Trusted by Therapists: Over 12,000 therapists across various specialties and backgrounds have joined the platform, with a focus on diversity (44% BIPOC representation). Services are available both in-person and via telehealth across 20 states, with plans for further expansion.
• Strong Payor Network: Grow Therapy collaborates with over 75 insurers, offering tailored services to meet the needs of each health plan and its members.

“Our team believes that empowering people to find and engage with effective mental health support – regardless of their background, geography or financial circumstances – is the most pressing need of our time. The two announcements we’ve made today, including the close of our $88 million Series C from Sequoia Capital and Goldman Sachs Alternatives and the launch of our new measurement-informed care system, represent tremendous strides in helping us fulfill that goal. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are building an environment where people can easily find care they can trust and afford, and where therapists can serve their communities while building sustainable, rewarding careers,” said Grow Therapy CEO Jake Cooper.

The United States Census Bureau released its most recent statistical findings in 2020, revealing a notable increase in the diversity of the nation’s population. In 2010, the likelihood of randomly selecting two ethnically or racially diverse individuals was 54.9%. By 2020, this had risen to 61.1%. Given these figures, it is unsurprising that healthcare providers are actively seeking solutions, particularly through existing and emerging technologies, to overcome their most significant cultural challenges in patient treatment. 

Have there always been cultural challenges in healthcare? Undoubtedly. Yet, as the country becomes more diverse, healthcare providers encounter an increasing number of obstacles. Some are more apparent than others, such as those related to communication and language barriers. For example, a patient with a basic understanding of English might struggle to accurately describe symptoms, ask complex medical questions, express concerns, or fully comprehend a provider’s responses. 

Additionally, varying health practices across cultures, communities, and religions significantly influence how providers interact with patients from different backgrounds or countries. Some patients, for instance, may prefer Eastern or alternative medicine. Others might have specific expectations regarding modesty or privacy during examinations or while discussing personal information. A lack of cultural awareness in providers can lead to unintentional missteps, potentially causing patients and their families to feel discriminated against or overlooked. 

Another cultural challenge in healthcare is the general feeling of distrust held by patients from certain cultures and backgrounds. This distrust may stem from lower health literacy, but it is often due to previous negative or questionable experiences with healthcare workers. According to a recent Deloitte survey of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American people, 55% say a negative experience caused them to lose trust in a healthcare provider, and 36% have skipped or avoided care because they did not like the way their provider was treating them.

Given that individuals from specific races and backgrounds have historically faced mistreatment in the medical community, it is crucial to understand different cultural barriers and work to overcome them. This approach is necessary to deliver high-quality care to everyone. Despite the significant challenges that barriers to cultural competence in healthcare pose, they can be overcome. As discussed earlier, a range of digital and technological advancements can equip healthcare providers with the tools to effectively address the various challenges of treating a diverse patient population. 

How to Provide Culturally Competent Care: Health Equity and Technology 

By learning about and willingly adopting technological solutions, providers can quickly, confidently, and efficiently bridge the cultural gaps they face with patients and their families. For example, translation software products, apps, and tools are becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare settings. According to Global Market Insights, the machine translation market size was valued at 982.2 million in 2022 and is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate of 22.8% between 2023 and 2032. The healthcare segment accounted for 20% of that market share in 2022. This illustrates the growing need for translation services in healthcare. 

Telehealth is another technology gaining popularity, particularly among providers seeking to enhance their cultural competency. This approach involves offering virtual appointments, which can be supplemented with translation tools when necessary. Telehealth allows providers to accommodate patients who might be unable to visit a hospital, clinic, or office for various reasons. Although telehealth is unsuitable for all situations or treatments, it can be instrumental in building trust with hesitant patients. It is especially beneficial for low-income individuals or those in rural areas.

Additionally, technology is being used to foster “softer” skills among providers, such as the ability to practice more inclusive medicine. A 2016 academic study of several hundred U.S.-based providers found that nearly two-thirds had received cultural competency training. Now, access to such training is more straightforward than ever, with tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams enabling workshops and remote conferences. 

However, today’s innovations are not the limit. On the horizon, other disruptive technologies are emerging, poised to facilitate even more culturally appropriate care than is currently available. 

Future-Forward Healthcare Technologies Powering More Inclusive Medicine 

What are some other emerging technologies transforming healthcare? One example is virtual reality. Specifically, VR devices, such as wearable headsets, are being tested in various medical capacities, including chronic and acute pain treatment. Research suggests that using VR goggles can help patients reduce the intensity of pain sensations, potentially decreasing or eliminating the need for medications. As some cultures are hesitant to use conventional pharmaceuticals, VR technology could offer a viable alternative for patients experiencing physical distress. 

A second technology gaining attention is wearable devices. Wearable devices worn by patients transmit accurate health data to healthcare providers in real time. A study on wearable medical devices indicates that these devices assist providers in delivering more personalized care. Moreover, they offer a cultural advantage by enabling patients to feel more in control of their health and privacy. Provided patients have access to the necessary wearables, these devices can minimize in-person visits to healthcare providers while supporting a preventive health regimen.

Technological Solutions: Improving Healthcare for All 

Every person, regardless of background, deserves healthcare treatment. However, treatment has often been delivered through a unicultural, one-size-fits-all approach. 

Technology is now demonstrating how healthcare can be individualized and customized. Tech innovations have the potential to benefit all patients, particularly those who have felt overlooked or underserved by traditional healthcare approaches. 

About Unmesh Srivastava

Unmesh Srivastava is the chief digital and technology officer at Clever Care Health Plan. He has over 14 years of experience in healthcare technology and innovation, digital health, and value-based care technology.

What You Should Know: 

– PreciseDx®, a leader in AI-powered diagnostics for oncology, announces a crucial collaboration with UCLA’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 

– The research initiative focuses on evaluating PreciseDx’s innovative tool, PreciseBreast™, for its ability to accurately assess the risk of recurrence in patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Why Focus on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

• TNBC Challenges: Accounting for only 10-20% of breast cancer cases, TNBC is particularly aggressive and carries a higher risk of recurrence. It is often linked to younger women, BRCA1/2 gene mutations, and ethnic/racial disparities. Traditional treatments offer limited effectiveness.
• Need for Advanced Tools: Recent discoveries of TNBC subtypes and the potential of immunotherapy highlight the urgent need for more sophisticated tools for TNBC categorization and risk assessment. This is crucial for developing personalized treatment plans and improving patient outcomes.

Building on Previous Success

This new study expands upon a prior subgroup analysis of TNBC patients from the PreciseBreast-Mount Sinai Hospital validation study. UCLA’s involvement allows for the evaluation of a larger, well-annotated TNBC cohort from the UCLA Health System.

The Power of AI and Collaboration

The collaborative study integrates cutting-edge AI algorithms with comprehensive clinical data. The goal is to validate PreciseBreast™ as a reliable digital breast cancer assay for:

• Enhanced Early Detection: PreciseBreast™ aims to identify TNBC recurrence at an earlier stage, allowing for timely intervention.
• Personalized Treatment Strategies: This AI-powered tool can potentially support the development of individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s specific needs.

What You Should Know: 

– rater8, a healthcare reputation management and patient feedback platform announced today the successful closing of their Series A funding round led by Elsewhere Partners. 

– The Series A investment will fuel rater8’s growth, allowing them to expand their reach, strengthen partnerships, and enhance their award-winning software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions.

Capitalizing on the Growing Importance of Online Reputation

The global online reputation management market is expected to surpass $746 million by 2031, with healthcare playing a central role. As patients increasingly turn online to research providers, positive online reviews have become the single most influential factor in their choices. Dissatisfaction with healthcare quality and a rising tendency to switch providers further highlight the critical need for strong online reputations.

rater8: Delivering Unmatched Results for Healthcare Providers

rater8 boasts a proven track record, generating an average 240% increase in annual reviews for over 750 healthcare organizations. Their platform empowers providers to:

• Build Online Visibility: Increase online presence and attract new patients through a robust online reputation.
• Manage Reputation: Proactively monitor and address online reviews, maintaining a positive patient perception.
• Improve Patient Satisfaction: Gather valuable patient feedback to identify areas for improvement and optimize the patient experience.
• Enhance Operational Performance: Leverage data-driven insights to streamline operations and deliver better care.

Seamless Integration and Actionable Insights

Unlike generic review tools, rater8 seamlessly integrates with over 100 electronic health record (EHR) and practice management (PM) systems. They focus on healthcare-specific review sites like Google, Healthgrades, Vitals, and WebMD, ensuring reviews reach the right audience. Additionally, rater8 offers comprehensive analytics that provide healthcare providers with:

• Granular Feedback: Detailed insights into patient satisfaction across individual providers, specialties, practices, and facilities.
• Real-Time Reporting: Access to up-to-date data on a range of patient satisfaction metrics and online review statistics.
• Intelligent Prioritization: An automated system that prioritizes review sites in need of more attention.

“As the healthcare sector evolves, healthtech innovators are clamoring to carve out their niche in an increasingly crowded space. Many will fail, but those who thrive will transform patient experience and practice management. rater8 has grown into a formidable leader in the patient management evolution – building a solution that addresses core industry pain points, growing an incredibly satisfied customer base and continuously outperforming competitors that simply can’t stack up,” said Michele Perry, operating partner, Elsewhere Partners. “The patient feedback market is ready for disruption. We see tremendous opportunity for growth as rater8 further broadens the capabilities of its platform and grows its team to support demand. I have no doubt that the rater8 team will continue to raise the bar for patient feedback solutions and help drive better outcomes for both practices and patients.”

What You Should Know: 

– Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (Otsuka), a global pharmaceutical company, and Verily Life Sciences LLC (Verily), a precision health technology company, have teamed up to launch a groundbreaking research initiative called “My Mental Health Journey.” 

– The longitudinal registry study aims to significantly enhance our understanding of depression and other mental health conditions.

The Power of Real-World Data

My Mental Health Journey will enroll adult participants in the U.S. who are experiencing symptoms of depression. This large-scale observational study will leverage real-world data to provide valuable insights:

• Understanding Depression’s Progression: By tracking participants’ experiences over time, researchers will gain a deeper understanding of how depression evolves.
• Diversity and Inclusion: The study design prioritizes enrolling a diverse population, ensuring research reflects the true spectrum of depression.

Participant Engagement through Technology

Participation in My Mental Health Journey is designed to be convenient and informative:

• Self-Guided Assessments: Participants will periodically complete online surveys about their depression journey.
• Digital Data Collection: Securely shared digital data will contribute valuable real-world information to the study.
• Access to Resources: Participants will receive access to educational resources on depression and related mental health topics.
• Future Research Opportunities: Participants will have a simplified path to participate in future clinical research studies focused on mental health.

Verily Viewpoint: Powering the Study

Verily will utilize its expertise in precision health technology to manage the study through its Verily Viewpoint platform. This platform offers:

• End-to-End Solutions: Verily Viewpoint provides a comprehensive suite of tools for participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
• Streamlined User Experience: The platform prioritizes a user-friendly design to ensure a positive experience for participants.
• Multi-modal Data Collection: The platform gathers various data points to create a holistic picture of participants’ experiences.

Availability

The My Mental Health Journey registry is now enrolling participants across the United States. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression and is interested in contributing to this vital research effort

“We are excited to help usher in the age of precision for mental health care by leveraging multimodal data to give a more complete picture of a person’s individual journey through treatment,” said Andrew Trister, MD, PhD, chief medical and scientific officer at Verily. “Our work with Otsuka offers the promise to accelerate the development and delivery of innovative treatments for depression to serve the millions of patients in need of safe, effective, and accessible care.” 

What You Should Know: 

– Nucleai, a leader in spatial biology and AI, and GoPath Diagnostics, a leading provider of digital pathology and molecular diagnostics, announced a strategic collaboration today. 

– The partnership aims to revolutionize clinical trials, diagnostics, and research in oncology and immunology by combining their strengths in AI and real-world data.

Unlocking the Power of Spatial AI Biomarkers

Nucleai specializes in “spatial AI biomarkers.” This technology analyzes tissue samples to understand the complex communication and interaction between cells. By deciphering these “cellular conversations,” Nucleai’s AI can predict how patients will respond to specific treatments.

GoPath’s Expertise in Real-World Data and Diagnostics

GoPath Diagnostics brings extensive experience in digital pathology and molecular diagnostics to the table. They offer a full suite of services, including:

• Digital Pathology: GoPath offers advanced digital tools for analyzing tissue samples.
• Molecular Diagnostics: Their services include cutting-edge molecular testing for a deeper understanding of diseases.
• Real-World Data: GoPath possesses a rich dataset of real-world patient information.

AI-powered Digital Pathology Solutions

By combining these strengths, Nucleai and GoPath aim to:

• Develop AI-powered Digital Pathology Solutions: Nucleai’s AI will be integrated with GoPath’s digital pathology platform, creating a powerful solution for clinical trials and diagnostics.
• Centralized, Secure Environment: The AI analysis will occur within a secure environment meeting the highest regulatory standards. This ensures data privacy and compliance.
• Actionable Insights for Clinicians: The AI will provide clinicians with valuable insights to support patient care decisions throughout the treatment journey.
• Biopharma Partner Support: The collaboration will streamline research for pharmaceutical companies by providing access to real-world data, AI capabilities, and comprehensive lab services.

Focus on Actionable Results

The partnership will initially focus on developing AI-powered pathology analysis tools that deliver practical, clinically relevant insights for multiple clinical trials and research studies in oncology and immunology. This includes areas like prostate cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

What You Should Know: 

– Synchron, a company pioneering brain-computer interface (BCI) technology unveils a community registry that aims to bring together patients with motor impairments, their caregivers, and medical professionals to explore the potential of BCI in restoring lost functionality.

– By uniting patients, caregivers, and medical professionals, this initiative has the potential to revolutionize the way we treat motor impairments and empower individuals to regain control of their lives.

Minimally Invasive Brain Interface

Unlike traditional BCI methods requiring open-brain surgery, Synchron’s technology utilizes a minimally invasive approach:

• Endovascular Implantation: The BCI device is strategically placed within a blood vessel near the brain’s motor cortex via the jugular vein.
• Wireless Communication: The implanted device wirelessly transmits the user’s motor intent signals for external use.

The Power of Community Collaboration

The Synchron BCI registry serves as a platform for:

• Patient and Caregiver Education: Providing patients and caregivers with valuable information on BCI technology and its potential applications.
• Clinician Engagement: Facilitating collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and developers to accelerate BCI advancements.
• Shared Experiences: Enabling patients and caregivers to connect and share their experiences with BCI technology.

“BCI technology enables individuals with motor impairment to regain independence,” said David Lacomis, M.D., principal investigator and Chief of the Neuromuscular Division at UPMC and Professor of Neurology and Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh. “By controlling digital devices through one’s own thoughts, BCI offers a transformative path towards performing daily tasks with greater ease and efficiency. From communication to accessing essential services online, BCI technology represents a ground-breaking frontier for individuals and their families.”

What You Should Know: 

– The World Health Organization (WHO) unveils S.A.R.A.H., an AI-powered digital health promoter, available 24/7 in eight languages via video or text. 

– S.A.R.A.H. provides tips to destress, eat right, quit tobacco and e-cigarettes, be safer on the roads as well as give information on several other areas of health.

About Sarah: WHO’s First Digital Health Promoter

S.A.R.A.H. (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health) leverages cutting-edge generative AI technology:

• Enhanced Empathetic Response: S.A.R.A.H. goes beyond scripted interactions, engaging in dynamic conversations that provide nuanced and empathetic support.
• Personalized Health Information: Access information on various health topics, including mental health and healthy habits, tailored to your specific needs.
• 24/7 Availability: S.A.R.A.H. is available anytime, anywhere, on any device, empowering you to take charge of your health journey.

S.A.R.A.H. empowers individuals to:

• Understand Health Risks: Gain insights into risk factors for leading causes of death like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
• Make Informed Decisions: Access up-to-date information on quitting tobacco, maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, and managing stress.
• Realize Your Health Rights: S.A.R.A.H. is a valuable tool to access reliable health information, promoting health equity worldwide.

A Call for Continued Development

The S.A.R.A.H. project prioritizes continuous learning and refinement to ensure the highest ethical standards and evidence-based information. The WHO calls upon researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers to collaborate on responsible AI development for global health benefit. Previous iterations of S.A.R.A.H. were used to disseminate critical public health messages, under the name Florence, during the COVID-19 pandemic on the virus, vaccines, tobacco use, healthy eating and physical activity.

“The future of health is digital, and supporting countries to harness the power of digital technologies for health is a priority for WHO,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “S.A.R.A.H. gives us a glimpse of how artificial intelligence could be used in future to improve access to health information in a more interactive way. I call on the research community to help us continue to explore how this technology could narrow inequities and help people access up-to-date, reliable health information.” 

What You Should Know: 

– Osso VR, the leader in immersive procedural training, announces a groundbreaking collaboration with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) to develop a state-of-the-art training curriculum for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures. 

– The strategic partnership marks a significant leap forward in the field of medical education, leveraging virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance interventional cardiologists’ training.

The Focus: Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO)

The co-developed curriculum focuses on LAAO, a critical procedure that reduces stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Mastering LAAO requires a diverse skillset, including Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE). Osso VR’s immersive platform addresses this by providing:

• Realistic and Engaging VR Simulation: Users can practice LAAO procedures in a risk-free, virtual environment, replicating real-world scenarios with high fidelity.
• Comprehensive Live Imaging: The platform integrates live imaging, mimicking a real patient’s responses, for a truly immersive training experience.
• Refined Instrument Control: Osso VR’s technology allows for precise and realistic manipulation of virtual instruments, ensuring users develop the necessary dexterity for successful procedures.

“ACC’s goal is to improve access to high-quality cardiovascular care. We are thrilled to collaborate with Osso VR to augment traditional interventional training for some of the more complex and cutting-edge procedures in our field,” said Ami Bhatt, MD, FACC, ACC Chief Innovation Officer. “This collaboration is the first step in a broader effort to increase access to consistent interventional cardiovascular care in the U.S. and globally.”