The article referenced sheds insight on how human medicine development might play out in animal health.
. . . technology and cost pressures are causing a“shift left” in health care…
Technology is transforming how we do business at a remarkable pace and breadth of innovation, from vertical integration to virtual reality. A POLITICO working group brought together a group of human healthcare leaders to pinpoint the most important areas of innovation in healthcare and offer suggestions on paths forward.
Their report focuses on four areas undergoing rapid development or change:
- Telemedicine
- Artificial intelligence and predictive analysis
- Patient engagement and consumerism, and
- Government policies and regulation
The business case for telemedicine expansion is not always clear because hospital systems are unsure it will reduce their costs; currently it is relatively uncompensated in fee-for-service.
Smart machine . . . automation could bring more of the treatments traditionally handled by specialists into the primary care office. That would reduce costs and enable nurses and aides to take over more tasks, while giving physicians more time to put hands on and speak with patients.
More remarkable, or troubling, depending on the panelist’s perspective, is Amazon’s move into pharmacy, health data and medical devices.
. . . much of what we currently think of as “regulation” — or even measurement — is not matched to the disruption that is occurring.
Source: POLITICO, December 10, 2018. Link.
INSIGHTS: Considering this in an animal health context, there are some possible red flag questions to consider:
- Can we train veterinary technicians or veterinary nurses fast enough to take on more responsibility?
- If so, can we create enough revenue to increase their compensation level?
- Will the current definition of VCPR work in predominately remote settings and across state lines?
- Can we establish a transactional value for telemedicine and get those invoices paid?
- We already struggle with compliance issues. So, will virtual engagements help or hinder compliance?
- This is especially critical in the food animal segments.
- How will pet insurance policies work to support patient health without a DVM touching the critter?
- At least animal health has maintained its individual animal focus for the most part!