It has been 12 years since I published a commentary titled “Electronic Distraction an Unmeasured Variable in Modern Medicine” in Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News’ sister publication Anesthesiology News (November 2011). This piece was at the core of a front-page story that appeared in The New York Times and ignited a firestorm of media coverage. Professionals in all fields of medicine addressed this issue at both national and international conferences; many articles were written; studies and research were done; and education was provided in almost every field of healthcare. This distraction was also addressed by the legal profession, with it becoming…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Research presented at the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting shows that Oshi Health’s virtual multidisciplinary gastrointestinal (GI) care significantly reduces emergency department (ED) utilization among patients. This study, conducted in partnership with a national health plan, compared GI-related ED visits between patients enrolled in Oshi Health’s program and those not enrolled. The findings revealed a 72% improvement at 3 months and a 64% improvement at 6 months in reducing GI-related ED visits among enrolled patients. Oshi Health, a virtual digestive health center, offers high-touch, multidisciplinary care including telehealth appointments with GI-specialized physicians, dietitians, psychologists, health coaches, and care coordinators.…
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, led by Dr. Karl Mårild, highlights that histologic inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) significantly increases the risk of serious infections. The research, based on a national population study of 55,626 adults with IBD in Sweden, found that serious infections were more frequent in patients with histologic inflammation compared to those in histologic remission. The study observed 4.62 serious infections per 100 person-years of follow-up in patients with histologic inflammation, versus 2.53 in those in remission. This increased risk was consistent across both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The findings…
U.S. health insurers Humana and Cigna are in merger discussions, potentially creating a deal worth over $60 billion. This move follows years after antitrust challenges blocked similar large-scale health insurance consolidations. The proposed stock-and-cash deal, which could be finalized by year-end, aims to form a larger entity to compete with major players like UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health. Humana, with a stronger Medicare business, and Cigna, with a large pharmacy benefit unit, have limited business overlap, mainly in Medicare plans. However, the merger faces potential antitrust scrutiny, investor concerns over valuation disparities, and the challenge of limited cost and revenue…
Key Insights: Evolving Role of Medical Chatbots: Medical chatbots, initially used for basic tasks like customer service, are now expanding into healthcare. They are improving care efficiency and connecting patients with vital information and providers. However, their effectiveness depends on the volume and quality of data they are trained on. Challenges in Keeping Up with Medical Research: The rapid growth of biomedical research presents a challenge for AI models like medical chatbots. Ensuring these chatbots stay current with the latest scientific knowledge is crucial but difficult due to the sheer volume of new research. Key Evaluation Areas for Medical Chatbots:
Impact in Healthcare: Since its launch, ChatGPT has significantly influenced the healthcare industry, known for its slow tech adoption. It has passed medical licensing exams, aided in new medicine development, and reduced doctors’ paperwork. It’s also moving healthcare towards AI-assisted diagnoses. Accelerated Use in Research and Care Delivery: ChatGPT and similar AI models have rapidly expanded their role in healthcare research and patient care. These advancements include writing medical documents like discharge summaries and radiology reports, and even showing empathy in patient interactions. Pharmaceutical and Tech Industry Integration: The pharmaceutical industry is leveraging AI for more efficient drug discovery. Tech…
Clinicians should consider starting a patient with gastrointestinal diseases on enteral nutrition as soon as there is a risk for malnutrition due to inadequate oral intake, according to gastroenterologist Matthew Bechtold, MD, co-chair of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition’s EN committee. During a recent ASPEN webinar on EN in GI disease, Dr. Bechtold, a professor of clinical medicine, the director of endoscopy and the director of GI ambulatory services at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, focused on three primary GI diseases— inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease and acute pancreatitis—and when to consider EN in each…
Dive deep with Asaf Kraus, Founder & CEO of Dieta Health, as he explores the innovative application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in gastroenterology, particularly in stool analysis. This conversation is a must-watch for those interested in the intersection of technology and healthcare, especially in digestive health. Highlights: Well it’s a sign of the times. Wave of exponential technologies are sweeping the landscape of gastroenterology like never before. AI is enabling patients like Asaf take the system head-on and assist doctors in delivering more efficient care. This game has just begun. Don’t miss this one.
The current state and future prospects of digital health startups. Here’s a summary of the key points: Funding Trends and Economic Challenges: U.S. digital health startups raised $6.1 billion in the first half of 2023, a decrease compared to the previous two years. The sector has seen consolidation and closures, reflecting a challenging financial environment. This situation is seen as a potential course correction, with capital becoming a more precious resource and companies entering cost management mode. Survival of the Fittest: The current economic landscape is leading to a Darwinian reckoning in digital health. Long-term success is likely to favor…
Here’s a summary of the key points: Innovative Ingestible Device: Developed by a collaborative team from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, MIT, Celero Systems, and West Virginia University, the VM Pill is an ingestible electronic capsule that can detect movements associated with specific vital signs. Clinical Trial Results: In a pilot clinical study involving 10 people with sleep apnea, the VM Pill demonstrated its ability to capture accurate respiratory and heart rate data. This data was comparable to that from existing monitoring devices, with respiratory rhythms within the range of 9 to 25 breaths per minute and cardiac signals within 40…