Recent Digital Health Trends, Insight and News - October 2024
FDA approves new RSV drug, telehealth flexibility decisions, Ontada’s and Microsoft's collaboration
Can you believe the holidays are right around the corner already? And so much has happened this past month! Trying to keep up with all the technology trends, news and insights is no easy feat, so we’re providing you with this October telehealth recap.
Curious what’s new in digital health? Learn about the FDA’s new RSV drug approval, looming telehealth flexibility decisions, Ontada’s and Microsoft's collaboration and more.
Technology, News and Insights
RPM, Enabled With AI, Can Improve Congestive Heart Failure Care
Almost 7 million Americans over 20 are currently living with congestive heart failure (CHF) and this number is expected to rise. Therefore, providers are looking for solutions, like remote patient monitoring (RPM), paired with artificial intelligence (AI), to help with disease management. In this article, they dive into how AI improves RPM effectiveness for CHF treatment, especially when analyzing weight trends and managing the triage process.
Read the full Healthcare IT article here >>
Oracle To Launch New AI-Backed EHR In 2025
Oracle plans to release a new EHR that applies AI across the clinical workflow. Some of its expected features include voice search and navigation and AI-backed summaries. The EHR platform is also anticipated to suggest next steps, such as follow-up visits and lab tests, to help clinicians focus more on patient care.
Read the full Healthcare Dive article here >>
Policy and Regulatory
As Year-End Deadline Looms, Congress Again Calls On DEA To Extend Telehealth Flexibilities
In less than three months, providers could lose the ability to prescribe controlled substances through telehealth if the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) doesn’t extend these flexibilities. Bipartisan lawmakers are asking for a better proposal from the DEA, stating that the current one “seems misaligned with Congressional intent.” The article explains how this may negatively impact mental health services in rural communities in the coming months.
Read the full Healthcare IT article here >>
FDA Approves Abrysvo RSV Vaccine for Adults at Increased Risk
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Pfizer’s RSV vaccine, Abryvso, for adults ages 18 - 59 with an increased risk of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. Currently, it’s the first and only vaccine available for individuals under 50. The FDA’s decision stemmed from a phase 3 clinical trial that demonstrated vaccine efficacy and safety in adults with certain chronic conditions.
Read the full AJMC article here >>
Industry Conversations
Health Systems' Top 7 Digital Needs
The need for digital health solutions is expanding as more people learn of its benefits. In a recent survey of health systems, health plans and employers, the Peterson Health Technology Institute found that health organizations are increasing their digital health spending. According to the survey participants, most are looking to use digital health to improve the patient experience, reduce administrative costs, and more.
Read the full Becker’s HealthIT article here >>
Telemedicine In War Zones: Prospects, Barriers, And Meeting The Needs Of Special Populations
Telemedicine has been used to aid specialized populations since its inception, and now its use is being considered in war zones. This article explores how teleconsultations, remote patient monitoring and video conferencing could be helpful in places with limited personnel and physical facilities. They also address some of the potential barriers, though, such as connectivity issues and more.
Read the full Frontier's in Medicine article here >>
Digital Health Companies Aren’t Embracing Hardware—This Is Why They Should
Digital gadgets have come a long way, with wearables that can track sleeping habits and MedTech tools that can aid as surgical instruments. However, a gap exists regarding consumer hardware innovation in the digital healthcare space as it pertains to why they can’t do more, like diagnose illnesses. In this article, they explore the challenges digital health companies face that hinder development. From manufacturing complexities and skill gaps to investment obstacles.
Read the Forbes article here >>
Growth, Funding and Innovation
Transforming Oncology Care With AI-Driven Insights
iKnowMed, an EHR provided by McKesson’s business unit, Ontada, is being utilized by over 3000 community-based oncologists. They collaborated with Microsoft to use Azure OpenAI Service, to help process unstructured oncology data. From this partnership, they’ve been able to decrease data processing time from six months to 2 to 3 weeks. This fast turnaround time has improved clinical decision support.
Read the full AJMC article here >>
Women's Health Startup Maven Clinic Pockets $125M To Invest In Tech, Value-Based Care
The world’s largest virtual clinic for women’s and family health, Maven Clinic, recently secured $125 million in Series F funding, bringing its total funding to $425 million. This most recent round of funding was led by StepStone Group and included other existing investors. Maven Clinic plans to use the funds to boost its value-based offerings. The article explores some of their initiatives, including maternity care, fertility benefits administration, menopause symptom management, and more.
Read the full Fierce Healthcare article here >>
OpenLoop Resources & News
The Benefits of Telehealth for Post-Discharge Care
Hospital readmissions are a significant and costly issue in the U.S. healthcare system, with many being preventable. Telehealth is a scalable solution that has the potential to improve patient compliance, address patient access to care concerns, and reduce re-admittance rates.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
The Top Digital Health Newsletters To Subscribe To In 2025
Looking for a way to stay current on the latest digital health news in the new year? We’ve compiled a list of 15+ newsletters covering telehealth, healthcare AI, and more so you can easily keep up with the changes.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
The Patient/Provider Gap: Is Telehealth Still The Solution?
One of the greatest issues in the healthcare system is patient and provider accessibility, which is hindered by staffing and transportation obstacles, language barriers, and more. Telehealth solutions, like virtual visits, can help close the gap, especially as many physicians near retirement.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
Top Healthcare Conferences to Attend in 2025
Interested in sharpening your professional skills and connecting with industry leaders next year? We’ve not only created a list of some of the best healthcare conferences for organizations but we also shared who may be in attendance and the expected topics.