Detroit Doctors teaming up fro digital health network

United Physicians, a physician organization in Detroit, has teamed up with a Philadelphia media company to provide a free educational television network for physicians. It will reach doctors offices in the Detroit metro area according to Detroit's Crain Business. The Reliable Health Network will use doctors in its own area to populate the content. The flat panels screens will be provided, and the content can be personalized by doctors office.

Join us in San Francisco for Vital!

October 6, 2010, JW Marriott Union Square, San Francisco, CA

We hope to see you in San Francisco! Email Kristin Paulick at kpaulick@iirusa.com for details on how you can attend.

Healthcare is at the crossroads of a consumer revolution. As the patient moves to the center of healthcare delivery, innovative personal health technologies empower the consumer with a wealth of data and information. This new consumer is responding by changing their behaviors and taking ownership over their own health outcomes. VITAL brings together all the key stakeholders shaping this revolution to evaluate consumer preferences, and the impact consumer health technologies have on health outcomes and today’s empowered consumer.

In just one day, address your key issues and challenges with competing in this evolving new industry. From barriers to consumer adoption, to incentives for reimbursement to data integration and measuring clinical outcomes, we have assembled the leaders in this space to answer your most pressing questions…

Engage in group discussions and learn from real world examples from Best Buy, Meridian Health, Pfizer, The Center for Technology & Aging, BCBS FL, and more. To see the complete speaker line-up and exciting new agenda, visit our webpage.

Plus, hear how consumers are taking control of their health with a keynote presentation from Thomas Goetz, Executive Editor, WIRED Magazine and Author of “The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine”

Join us October 6 for a unique event experience that will position your company for success in this exciting new market place!

To continue the conversation, be sure to join our Consumer Health Technologies LinkedIn Group.

Latest mHealth Research Revealed at VITAL 2010

PricewaterhouseCoopers recently conducted a survey which concluded that three in ten Americans are willing to use their mobile phone to monitor and track their health. 40 percent stated that they would be willing to send their health data directly to their physician through a remote monitoring device. What’s more, they would be willing to pay for this device out of pocket.

To explore these findings further and understand how your organization fits into this emerging marketplace, join us at VITAL - The Consumer Digital Health Event next month.

VITAL, (Vision, Innovation, Technology, Adoption, Living) - The Consumer Digital Health Event, taking place Wednesday, October 6, 2010, is a one-day interactive think tank designed to bring together the key players in the consumer health technology market.

Throughout the day, participate in discussions on:
• Where are we now and where are we going: an in-depth review of the personal health technology landscape
• The tool kit to establish benchmarks for measuring clinical outcomes and changes in healthy behavior
• How to’s on setting incentives to overcome barriers to adoption for patients, members or employees
• Examining current reimbursement models and trends in self-pay
• Data integration: the quantified self and the physician EMR – are they fit to be tied?

For more on Vital, taking place October 6, 2010 in San Francisco, California, visit our webpage.

Phones giving many countries special health technologies

The BBC talks with Professor Ramesh Raskar of MIT about the potential that SmartPhones are bringing to developing countries. Many can't afford the high technology that is required to examine and diagnose many patients, but simple attachments to SmartPhones can provide means to do blood tests and vision tests among other things.

Conversion to digital health records slow

The Chattanooga Times Free Press recently discussed with doctors about the conversion to digital health records in their office. The Galen Medical Group of Tennessee is slowly switching to the process. A few factors contributing to the slow transition include modifying exam rooms to be equipped with electronic equipment and making sure records can sync with systems across the nation. One doctor also notes that he's also not of the tech generation, so getting use to a new system will take some time.

What are a few of the other factors you believe are holding up doctors offices from converting to electronic records?

Best Buy to share story of mhealth product launch at VITAL 2010

Vital – The Consumer Digital Health Event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the JW Marriot in San Francisco. This one day interactive think tank brings together key stakeholders shaping the revolution in personal digital health technologies including health plans, providers, employers, retailers and innovators. These stakeholders join forces to evaluate consumer preferences, the future of personal mobile health technologies and the impact these technologies will have on health outcomes.

As Best Buy rolls out digital health devices in more than half of their stores nationwide, you can join us next month to hear more about this groundbreaking step in retail with:
• Sandra Elliott, Director of Consumer Health Technology, Meridian Health
• Kurt Hulander, Senior Director, Health Platform, Best Buy

This one day think tank will also feature:
• Thomas Goetz, Executive Editor, Wired Magazine, Author, "The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine"
• Mitchel S. Harris, Director, Health Industries Advisory, PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Rick Cnossen, President and Chairman of the Board, Continua Health Alliance (invited)
• Monique Levy, Senior Director of Research, Manhattan Research
• Craig Lipset, Director, Health Technologies, Pfizer, Inc.
• Paul Puopolo, Director of Consumer Innovation, Humana
• Lynn Redington, DrPH, MBA, Senior Program Director, Center for Technology and Aging
• Kevin Riley, Vice President, Innovation and Consumer Health Solutions, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
• Harry Wang, Director, Health and Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates

Consumers heading to the doctor online

The Wall Street Journal looks at how individuals can turn some of their doctors visits online. From the beginning basics of paying bills on line, looking up lab results and scheduling appointments, patients can increasingly find online care to help themselves and save time for both them and their doctor. Some offices even have the ability to allow patients to the doctor to assess their state of health from home via email or a simple questionnaire.

Do you think more doctors will interact with patients if they can begin interacting online? A simple online assessment could encourage more individuals to check their symptoms online rather than sitting for hours in a waiting room waiting to be assessed by the doctor.

Electronic Health Records reality for Vets

According to an article at ModernHealthcare.com, the Veterans Affairs Office worked with the Medicaid & Medicare Programs at CMS, along with Health IT companies and other organizations, to develop an online portal where Vets will have access to their health records online. Beginning in October, this online portal will contain their medical records and could include self-entered health metrics such as blood pressure, weight and heart rate. The document can be downloaded with the click of a button and stored on most storage devices. An example of the report that Vets will have access to can be seen here.

The next phase in this project is to make sure the health records can be centralized in one place and determine how to authorize certain computers to have access to the information in order to protect the information.

Do you think other government organizations will follow in the Veterans Affairs Office steps? What could be the benefits of that?

Last Chance to Save on Registration for the VITAL Event

With the VITAL event only a month away, we want to make sure you book your hotel and event registration soon! VITAL, The Consumer Digital Health Event will unite health plans, retailers, employers, providers, and technology innovators under one roof to explore the sale and adoption of personal health technology to improve outcomes.

Early Bird Pricing – Ends Friday, 9/10!

The early bird discount ends Friday, September 10! This is your last chance to SAVE $200 off registration prices. Register today and make sure to mention your priority code CDHBlog.
*Note: This discount applies to providers, health plans retailers and employers only.

In just one day, walk away with:
• An in-depth review of the personal health technology landscape
• Analysis of how consumer are using technology to take control of their health and wellness with Keynote Presenter, Thomas Goetz, Executive Editor Wired Magazine and Author, The Decision Tree: "Taking Control of Your Health in The New Era of Personalized Medicine”
• The tool kit to establish benchmarks for measuring clinical outcomes and changes in behavior
• Incentives for reimbursement and current trends in self-pay

Participate in interactive discussions with Pfizer, Humana, Meridian Health, Manhattan Research, Parks Associates, Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida, The Center For Technology and Aging and PricewaterhouseCoopers

View the complete agenda and registration information at the Vital webpage.

Wifi scale enables "Public Humiliation Diets"

WiThings, a Paris-based company specializing an a wireless enabled weight scale, has reached a valuation of $3.8 million according to the New York Times. The scale, which began selling on Amazon last June, has a wifi transmitter to send daily weights to an online web interface, and also has the options of transmitting the users weight to an iPhone App and even Twitter. This enables users to track their weight over time. While many are still uncomfortable broadcasting private matters, WiThings is benefiting because the public has become more comfortable sharing private matters, such as weight, online. Users view it as a way to stay on track to healthier lifestyles, labeled by the New York Times as "Public Humiliation Diets".

MTV and Four Square team up for health

MTV and Four Square recently teamed up to unveil the GYT Badge. In an effort to continue their "GYT: Get Yourself Tested" campaign, they'll be giving badges to anyone who checks in at clinics to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. At CBS, Stephen Friedman, General Manager of MTV said "It only takes a few to get the ball rolling," and hopes that checking in to clinics for these types of checkups can become as normal as going to the dentist or physician.

Is M-Health going to reach its potential?

At Mobi Health News, Brian Dolan looks at the whether or not mobile health will be able to reach it's potential. While doctors and professionals have been discussing its potentials, have they failed to take advantage of the true potential and set standards to push mobile health to it's true potential. Dolan looks at three aspects that could affect the future of mobile health: premature hype, failing to manage the exceptions that are set for mobile health, and the inability to go beyond biases of m-health.

What do you think? Will Mobile Health reach its potential? Why or why not?

iPhone turns into a stethoscope

MailOnline looks at the newest way to transform your iPhone into another gadget. The iStethoscope is a device that can turn your phone into a heart monitor. The app that records the heart beat was developed by Peter Bentley pf the University College London.

He said, "Smartphones are incredibly powerful devices packed full of sensors, cameras, high-quality microphones with amazing displays. They are capable of saving lives, saving money and improving healthcare in a dramatic fashion – and we carry these massively powerful computers in our pockets."

Panasonic introduces digital hearing devices to the US market

Panasonic is bringing their digital hearing devices to the US market. The three styles are styled and designed to meet the needs of both the patient and the doctor.

Yoshi Yuasa, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Corporation of North America, said:
"We are thrilled to bring three new Panasonic digital hearing instruments to the U.S. and make products available from a brand that is associated with quality sound. Panasonic digital hearing instruments deliver the same high-quality, reliability, and innovation that our customers have grown to appreciate from our audio products. We manufacture our own digital signal processors and have developed a unique algorithm to enable precise sound reproduction. Panasonic is known as one of the leaders in acoustic science, and is committed to provide innovative hearing solutions through advanced technology."

View the three different models that are avaialble at PR Newswire.

Smartphones are the gateway for personal health devices

The personal digital health industry is on the rise, and this is just one of the reasons Qualcomm and AT&T are teaming up to provide health devices to consumers. Don Jones, a vice-president at Qualcomm, recently stated, "We meet with one medical device company a day."

With wireless gadgets expected to sell $600 million this year, and possibly double next year, the market to develop consumer health devices is unlimited. This past July, the FDA and FCC decided to work together on regulatory issues concerning mobile health devices. The switch to electronic medical records is one of the key reasons mobile health devices are gaining momentum. Allowing physicians to easily track the progress reported by the devices will enhance the care of patients and users. Read the full article at Sci Tech Today.

Best Buy to begin selling health devices in stores

Best Buy will begin to roll out digital health devices to in more than half of its stores nation wide reports Brian Dolin at Mobi Health. Devices may include blood-pressure monitors, pedometers, and fitness watches. Senior Director Kurt Hulander believes digital home health devices will provide tremendous opportunities for growth.

Best Buy will be attending Vital 2010 this October! They'll be presenting the case study Forming Viable Partnerships—A Best Buy-Meridian Health Case Study with Meridian Health. For more on their presentation, visit the Vital webpage and download the brochure!

Medical homes using technology to remotely monitor patients

Digital home health monitoring is increasing, and Fortune Magazine looks at how it has affected residents and hospitals, saving money and improving health. Doctors use technologies to monitor patients in the home, and can alert the patient when something is wrong, rather than having expensive emergency visits to the hospital.

CNN Money also took time to look at how these pilot programs are working across the nation:

Telemedicie expanding in California

The Sacramento Bee shares California's new medical system that will help citizens of the state have access to the best and brightest doctors. The location of the doctor nor the patient is important, the digital access allows on patient room to be connected to another doctor's room. To kick off the program, there are 50 clinics that have the capabilities to contribute to the telemedicine efforts. By the end of 2011, over 900 facilities will be equipped. The UC Davis Medical Center is functioning as the effort's home base.

Consumers monitoring their blood pressure digitally

In a recent article at HTC Developers, they look at how digital blood pressure monitors are becoming the way for individuals to keep their own tabs on their own health. They are portable and reliable. How can devices like these help consumers monitor their health? If more consumers are aware of their blood pressure, could these devices become a standard in American health?

Compete in the Consumer Digital Health Market, Attend VITAL 2010

Countless technologies for fitness, wellness, senior care and disease management enter the market daily. But the question is, when and how will they impact clinical outcomes, reduce cost and help consumers take control of their health?

Join us in San Francisco on October 6 for VITAL, an all new event focused on exploring the realities of this emerging marketplace and seizing the business opportunities made possible by the creation of in-home health tools and devices.

With group discussions and case studies by leading health plans, employers, providers, and retailers, you will walk away with insight into consumer adoption trends, clinical outcomes data, unique business partnerships, reimbursement incentives, and standards for integration.

The 2010 speaking faculty includes:
• Kevin Riley, VP, Innovation and Consumer Health Solutions, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
• Craig Lipset, Director, Health Technologies, Pfizer
• Harry Wang, Director, Health and Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates
• Paul Puopolo, Director of Consumer Innovation, Humana
• Sandra Elliott, Director of Consumer Health Technology, Meridian Health
Click Here for the complete Speaker line up

PLUS! A keynote presentation from Thomas Goetz, Executive Editor, Wired Magazine and Author, “The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine”

The adoption of in home devices is on the rise and will continue to be a critical piece of the consumer centric health care model. Find out how you can compete in this exciting new market at VITAL.

Technology appearing at the gym

In a recent expose by KRWG-TV/FM Las Cruces/El Paso, they look at a local gym that has implemented a digital system to help individuals achieve their fitness needs. The system monitors progress and allows individuals to set goals, while working with fitness trainers to stay on course.

Watch the video:

Vital: The Consumer Digital Health Event: Brochure now available!

As the patient moves to the center of healthcare delivery, innovative personal health technologies empower the consumer with a wealth of data and information. This all new event unites leaders from health plans, employers, providers, and retailers, to discuss the sale and adoption of these technologies to improve health outcomes. Vital: The Consumer Digital Health Event will be taking place October 6, 2010 in San Francisco, California.

Visit the webpage to find out more about the event and download the brochure!

Intel and GE joining to market home based technologies

On Monday, GE and Intel announced that they would be forming a partnership in order to produce home based health technologies. By combining their assets, they hope to capitalize in the next five years on commercialized home health devices. They will focus on three main categories: chronic disease management, independent living and assistive technologies. One of the main barriers they will be facing together is the lack of insurance coverage for digital home health devices. Read more at Fierce Mobile Healthcare.

Electronic devices allowing seniors to stay at home longer

The New York Times recently looked at two digital devices that can allow seniors to stay in their homes longer rather than go to retirement homes. The digital monitoring devices are allowing sensors to be placed around seniors home so family members who live farther away can know that they are eating, taking their medications and leaving the house. The article also discusses a digital pill box, which will notify seniors when it is time to take their medications. As the article points out, some seniors may see this as precautions that go overboard for their health and conflict with their privacy, but others see it as a way to aid their safety in their own home.

Autom: Your Personal Trainer

Autom, a new interactive robot, could become your next personal trainer. The Wall Street Journal recently spoke with Co-founder and chief executive of Intuitive Automata Inc., Cory Kidd. He saw an opportunity to develop a robot that could help keep track of exercise and diet, while also giving instant feedback and reminders of goals to all users. The interactive element was also key in the creation of this "Personal Trainer," as she can also blink her eyes and turn her head.

Watch the video feature about Autom here:

Social networking impacting workouts

In a recent article at CNet, Caroline McCarthy looks at how social networking is impacting workouts. Users tweet locations via Four Square all the time, so how can this relate to exercising? Data tracking via mobile apps are now feeding into social media communities that aid individuals in their goal to keep in shape. When users post their weight loss goals, they're more likely to stay focused on their goals.

What are some of the tools and social networks Caroline has used to keep track of her fitness? Garmin ForeRunner 110 GPS, heart rate monitor, and a Fitbit. Many of these feed into social networks to keep track of the users progress.

Read the full article here.

Save the date: Vital - The Consumer Digital Health Event

October 6, 2010, JW Marriott Union Square, San Francisco, CA

Healthcare is at the crossroads of a consumer revolution. As the patient moves to the center of healthcare delivery, innovative personal health technologies empower the consumer with a wealth of data and information. This new consumer is responding by changing their behaviors and taking ownership over their own health outcomes. VITAL brings together all the key stakeholders shaping this revolution to evaluate consumer preferences, and the impact consumer health technologies have on health outcomes and today’s empowered consumer.

In just one day, address your key issues and challenges with competing in this evolving new industry. From barriers to consumer adoption, to incentives for reimbursement to data integration and measuring clinical outcomes, we have assembled the leaders in this space to answer your most pressing questions…

Engage in group discussions and learn from real world examples from Best Buy, Meridian Health, Pfizer, The Center for Technology & Aging, BCBS FL, and more. To see the complete speaker line-up and exciting new agenda, visit our webpage.

Plus, hear how consumers are taking control of their health with a keynote presentation from Thomas Goetz, Executive Editor, WIRED Magazine and Author of “The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine”

Join us October 6 for a unique event experience that will position your company for success in this exciting new market place!

We hope to see you in San Francisco!

To continue the conversation, be sure to join our Consumer Health Technologies LinkedIn Group.

IBM Focuses on Digital Health

This week, IBM announced it will invest $100 million to increase its presence in IT driven healthcare. Its goals are to improve the success of medical diagnostics and streamlining medical treatments. On this three year plan, they will spend the money by hiring doctors and medical experts to enhance and create these medial technologies. Click here to read the full article.

Cooling devices help summer work outs

The Wall Street Journal recently looked at the dynamics of personal cooling devices available to the public. The goal is to bring body temperatures lower during workouts which may be affected by the high heat of the summer. Cooling devices usually contain ice packs, but it's important to not the size and the temperature of the cooling device. The size of a device makes a difference in its ability to cool, and if a cooling device is too cold, it can actually have the reverse effect of cooling. Read the full article here.

Can mobile health lead to Medicaid savings?

Heath Care at MSNBC recently looked at the work Dr. Richard Katz is doing in Washington, DC, to work with inner city individuals to monitor their diabetes daily. By using cell phones as medical devices, they are hoping to take daily readings of blood sugar and send reports back to the doctors. Then, if numbers are incorrect, the doctors can communicate with the patients as to what they need to do to get their blood sugar back to normal. Then upon normal doctors visits, all of the information is recorded at NoMoreClipboard.com. Thus, encouraging individuals to consistently monitor their health on a daily basis before conditions worsen. Read the full article here. As this experiment is focused in inner-city Washington, DC, the daily healthcare will contribute to Medicare saving.

What do you think of this? Could you see this kind of care spread to other populations in similar situations? Could using apps with patient population encourage our society to wellness?

This blog is co-posted with the ePharma Summit Blog.

Market for handheld healthcare devices is growing

The market for hand held healthcare devices could reach $8.8 billion by the end of 2010 according to Mobi Health News. Much of this is credited to the healthcare stimulus package, but also the $5.3 billion that was spent on healthcare that was spent on healthcare monitoring tools.

According to a report recently issued by Kalorama:

Patient monitoring devices account for the largest share of sales in the handheld market, largely due to the range of products available, the number of conditions requiring monitoring, and increasing demand for essential monitoring products in portable sizes, such as ultrasound and ECG. Administrative devices have exploded over the last five years with the growing use of PDAs, smartphones, and tablet PCs taking hold in the healthcare industry.

Read the full article here.