The conversation around interoperability is missing the point
For true interoperability to become a reality, a ‘single version of truth’ is needed from which both providers and patients can draw.
The chatter around Epic and lack of interoperability is missing the mark, because the current approach to it is fundamentally flawed.
When there are multiple systems that contain patient data that may or may not be accurate, merging data multiplies those errors. But who’s to blame? There’s no arbitrator to resolve discrepancies, and there’s no patient-centric component that enables patients to figure out where, how or why an error occurred.
Further, point-to-point solutions create infinite connection requirements, and standalone networks don’t solve underlying data quality issues.
As examples, consider weekly appointments with an online therapist. Daily Peloton rides. GLPs, IV treatments and strict diets. Data from an Apple Watch, Oura ring and other wearables. Not to mention appointments with a primary care doctor, heart doctor or dermatologist. Each of these channels provides insights into distinct areas of health, but there’s no singular record to review; not for the patient, and not for any members of the care team.
Although interoperability enables disparate systems to communicate, there’s no assurance that information is complete, correct or consistent. The result is multiple versions of the same patient story.
A single version of the truth
Before true interoperability becomes a reality, there needs to be a “single version of truth” from which both providers and patients draw.
In many fields, a clear and accurate source of information is essential for managing complicated tasks that involve multiple stakeholders. The same is true in healthcare. Doctors, labs, imaging centers and pharmacies all work with the same patient, but they often use different data sets and separate records.
An AI system fuses all patient data from fragmented records and cleanses it. The patient serves as a quasi “traffic cop” to validate the accuracy of the data, which has also been translated from clinical terms into terms the patient can understand.
The process includes gathering records from each system, identifying and resolving conflicts, eliminating duplicates, validating the data and simplifying difficult medical terms into easy-to-understand language. The system actively builds a more complete and useful health profile for patients so they don't have to navigate confusing and conflicting records on their own.
Enabling informed decision-making
Imagine a scenario in which your cardiologist recommends an oral statin to lower your cholesterol. Your internist recommends an injectable to manage the issue. App-based AI-provided insights can help you, the patient, figure out which option is best.
As patients, we navigate portals, test results, med lists and provider recommendations. A patient-centric platform can organize that information into a single view that prepares individuals for their appointments with a clearer understanding of what’s changed since their last visit, what questions to ask at an upcoming visit and what decisions need to be made post-visit.
With such a system, patients can make the final call on what medications and supplements they ultimately take and can also keep track of their vaccinations.
But the benefits don’t just apply to the patient, because family caregivers benefit, too. Caregivers spend time and energy tracking records, appointments and treatment plans across multiple providers. A unified record reduces guesswork and creates a more coordinated experience for everyone involved.
A patient-centric system would serve as an “automagical backbone” to process comprehensive data that includes medical records, family history, external genetic test data and other third-party health data. AI immediately computes data-based trends, insights and recommendations. Finally, doctors and patients can collaborate on treatment decisions.
Clinicians can better identify patterns, understand context and avoid making decisions based on fragmented data when they review a unified patient record. In a healthcare system where information frequently resides in disconnected systems, visibility itself becomes a clinical advantage.
From treatment-based to preventative care
The healthcare system in the United States operates on a treatment-based model, but it’s simply not enough anymore. We have to look at preventative measures that save money and prolong lives.
We spend upwards of $5 trillion annually on our healthcare, and about 90 percent of that is spent on managing chronic conditions. A preventive model of care would enable intervention before conditions escalate. Patients and clinicians would be able to identify trends before they require intensive treatment or hospitalization.
Providers and patients alike could view various data points, including lab value changes, medication adherence, lifestyle, family histories and more, empowering them to intervene early instead of reactive measures that come with hefty price tags.
A single version of truth can offer lifestyle changes, tools to improve disease management, screening insights and more.
But these solutions require a single version of truth as the foundation; patient education around diet, wellness and workout regimens; and a strong focus on reducing chronic illness. Ultimately, this improves patient quality of life and increases longevity. It also reduces the cost of managing chronic conditions.
The bottom line
The future of our healthcare system will go beyond simply connecting disparate systems. We envision it as a solid foundation of data that’s unified, easy to understand and actionable.
After clinical providers, caregivers and patients have a single holistic view of the patient's health, we can go back to the interoperability conversation.
Greg Brady is founder and CEO of Connect4Patients, a patient-centric healthcare network technology company that builds interoperable, permission-based platforms that enable patients and providers to actively participate in care and that eliminates fragmented records and siloed portals.