Using A Disease Management System to Generate Real World Evidence

AI will Help Us
Connect The Dots

We can learn far more from every patient, but few systems are optimized for research opportunities.

First We Need to Expand
Our Data Collection

... While Also Improving Work-Flows and Reducing Work Loads

Clinical trials and registries come with a heavy administrative workload. 

The solution is to use other methods that require minimal or no effort since they are not done by clinicians.

Better Data Generated by Health Care Professionals
Traditionally, physicians notes vary widely in quality.

AI will help us collect higher quality notes and may i.e. suggest additional questions in real time to the physician.

With AI assist, an EMR system should be able to produce a summary of the visit with instructions and recommendations directly to the patient. How patients uses this creates another data point.

An EMR system can be used as a system to direct patients to various information sources which may even include videos of the physician (similar to a prescription). If the system is used this way, each action generates data both from the physician and if the patient follows the recommendation.

These are examples of how AI-assist working with a well designed system has the potential to collect more and better data with minimal effort.
Patient Generated Data
Patients that are asked to answer questions, before a physician visit, will almost always do so. To reduce work-loads this could easily be assisted by electronic means, including reminders before the visit.

A high portion of patients are also willing and able to contribute data between visits at regular intervals. This could be part of shared decision making with systems that allows for variations in extent and frequency.

How patients are using the data on any app, such as information available to them, also directly generates data without effort. I.e. if a physician directly recommends the patient to watch a short video, the system can generate a record if and when the patient watched the video.
Automatically Collected Patient Data
A direct Electronic bridge between patients and physicians EMR system is fundamental for the opportunity to collect data automatically from patients.

There are obvious consent and privacy issues to consider but these can and have been solved. Data can be automatically collected from wearable devices and sensors, reducing manual input. This may also include other information generated on the phone i.e. motion sensors.

A patient app will also generate a lot of data on usage automatically even i if this is not used for daily clinical decision yet it may still be very valuable.
Biological Samples
Adding biological data to patient reported outcomes and structured and unstructured information from EMR systems could be extremely valuable.

This allows for better tracking of interactions between disease severity, patient biology, behaviors, characteristics, environment, and treatment over time.

This is also the most sensitive and controversial data even if there are solutions.

Collection of biological samples (tissue, urine, blood, faeces) can be kept outside clinical workflows. Not all patients will approve and there may not be funding to either collect or analyse data from all patients.

The costs for all of this is decreasing. Gradually we can do more with less.

Systems like this makes sure we do this in a context where we can maximize learnings from a population with the disease. We are building the right infrastructure for the future.

Grant Opportunities

Grant applications are contingent upon the availability of specific grants. Digital Health Bridges will focus on new digital health initiatives that many researchers may not be familiar with (not your traditional research grant).  

We are keeping the door open to seek several grants as steps to a comprehensive solution.

The technology and solutions developed for one disease may be possible to transfer to another.

But first, we need a key group of researchers and clinicians that share our vision.

Some Suggestions
for Research Areas

Tools and systems that aid clinicians in making informed decisions about patient care.

Visual interfaces that provide a comprehensive overview of patient data within Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems.

Methods for gathering and utilizing Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) to improve patient care and research.

Applications and resources designed to empower patients in managing their health conditions.

A de-identified database for research purposes.

Tools to automate administrative tasks such as filling in insurance forms, i.e. accuracy of AI.

Applications to help patients manage their diseases and how those can be incorporated for shared decision making

What are the gaps in care that a disease managent solution can address.

Let's Discuss Your Interest in This Research & Disease Management Initiative

Let me know if you wan to learn more, get some ideas, discuss collaboration, or help form a group for your disease(s). I am not an academic and will happily leave the scientific leadership to others such as yourself.

Let’s explore how we both can best contribute to groundbreaking medical research and apply for grants that support innovative disease management solutions.,

At Digital Health Bridges, we invite researchers and innovators to collaborate with us. Your expertise can help shape the future of disease management systems. Apply for grants today and be part of a transformative journey in healthcare.