Health widgets and apps will create a parallel universe of private providers
How will consumer ehealth apps link into service providers? Steven Dodsworth, CEO of consultancy D Health Europe, says that, at the moment, consumer devices are still very much B to C. But that is set to change. He thinks we will see the development of a parallel healthcare universe in which private providers dominate.
Several players such as Road to Health are already linking apps together to give the user a mix of livestyle and healthcare data. Deals can then be offered to consumers giving them access to discounted services from commercial suppliers.
Withings, the largest European health widget maker, is already striking deals with insurers and companies giving discounts to employees who walk a certain distance – here are some casestudies.
He thinks that the private sector will dominate this space. As he points out, public sector providers find it very hard to deploy new telehealth and ehealth apps – things get stuck in pilots for years. Instead, he sees the BtoC devices and apps being linked to a network of payors and private operators who will offer a wide range of wellness and elective care. In Europe, serious acute illnesses will remain the preserve of the public sector.
At the same time, apps are becoming far more reliable. “A lot of people look at these devices and see a fad. But behind the scenes a lot of investment is making them much more reliable and intelligent in how they communicate with you.” The acid test will be the US Federal Drugs Administration. Dodsworth reckons that sooner, rather than later, the FDA will approve.
But it will be a bumpy path. Dodsworth says “I know one US supplier came up with an algorithm which was highly effective at moitoring a potentially life-threatening condition. This could coach the user to take preventative action. It has ben through clinical trials but was withdrawn because of fears of the reaction of the Food and Drug Administration.”
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