The Patient Will See You Now Summary

What if your smartphone could replace that rushed doctor visit, offering faster, more informed, and personalized diagnoses? The future where patients take control of their medical care is closer than you think.

1. Smartphones and Apps Are Transforming Health Care

Smartphones have revolutionized communication and information access, and now they are changing the way we approach medicine. With mobile connectivity reaching 95% of the world’s population, these devices can provide an unprecedented opportunity to empower patients. By using smartphone-based tools, people can independently analyze health concerns and obtain vital diagnoses.

Apps like SkinVision are already making self-diagnoses a reality. This app allows users to send a photo of a skin lesion for review, helping determine whether further medical attention is needed. With advancements in microscopic technology, smartphones may soon be able to scan for bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, to confirm diseases like tuberculosis.

This technology is especially transformative in developing regions. In sub-Saharan Africa, where there is just 1.1 doctor or nurse per 1,000 inhabitants (compared to 12.3 in the U.S.), mobile connectivity is bridging medical gaps. Projects like Masiluleke send health awareness messages via text, and devices like Gene Radar can use a smartphone to diagnose illnesses at a fraction of the current cost.

Examples

• The app SkinVision helps detect potentially cancerous lesions by analyzing skin photos.
• Gene Radar uses portable devices to diagnose diseases like HIV and malaria for as low as ten percent of current costs.
• The Masiluleke project improves HIV/AIDS awareness through widespread messaging in South Africa.

2. A Shift in Medical Power: Patients Take the Lead

Traditionally, the doctor has been the ultimate authority in medical decision-making, often dictating treatments without much input from patients. But technology is now flipping this dynamic, empowering patients to play an active role in their own health care choices.

Genetic testing has become a significant tool for patient empowerment. For example, actress Angelina Jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy after genetic analysis revealed her elevated risk of breast and ovarian cancer. This decision showcased the benefits of understanding one’s genetic profile. Accessible services like 23andMe now offer inexpensive genetic reports, giving millions access to vital health information.

With greater information at their fingertips, patients can ask better questions, weigh their options, and make proactive decisions about their health. This shift is a far cry from the Hippocratic Oath's original guidance that physicians should withhold information for patients' own good.

Examples

• Angelina Jolie’s decision highlighted the life-saving potential of genetic testing.
• 23andMe offers genetic insights for just $100, making this technology readily available.
• The American Medical Association’s longstanding Code of Ethics is being challenged by the rise of informed patients.

3. Virtual Care Reduces Doctor Visits

The need for traditional in-person doctor visits is declining thanks to telemedicine and virtual care platforms. Services like Doctor on Demand and Teladoc enable patients to consult physicians from home, saving time and often reducing stress.

Telemedicine is changing how we think about health care delivery. The cost for a virtual consultation is comparable to an in-person visit, but the convenience is unmatched: there’s no waiting room and the services are accessible 24/7. Many minor ailments or questions can now be addressed online rather than requiring a trip to a clinic.

This trend complements a broader reduction in hospital stays. Since 1975, the number of hospitals in the U.S. has dropped significantly, thanks to outpatient procedures and technologies like remote monitoring. Facilities like Montefiore Medical Center in New York are now “bedless” hospitals, focusing entirely on same-day services.

Examples

• Doctor on Demand offers 24/7 accessibility for medical advice.
• Montefiore Medical Center operates without overnight stays, relying on outpatient care.
• U.S. hospitals decreased from 7,156 in 1975 to 4,995 in 2013 due to efficiency advancements.

4. Mapping the Human Body: Creating a Personal Data Atlas

Imagine having a digital map of your body that combines genetic, physical, and anatomical information. Advances in data collection are making this dream a reality. The idea is to create a "Google Maps for humans," combining layers of essential health information.

The physiological layer is already developing through wearable technology. Devices that track heart rate or blood pressure provide real-time health data. Beyond that, genome sequencing is becoming faster and cheaper, generating insights for personalized medicine. While the Human Genome Project has sequenced 90% of human DNA, challenges remain in mapping every genetic detail.

Eventually, this personal "body map" will give users and doctors an unprecedented view of health risks and conditions. With improvements in monitoring, everyone’s health journey could be enhanced.

Examples

• Wearable biosensors already monitor daily metrics like heart rate.
• The cost of genome sequencing dropped from $28 million in 2004 to $1,500 by 2022.
• The concept of a digital “Graphic Information System” for humans could overlay genetic and physical data.

5. Big Data Meets Health Care for Targeted Treatment

As more data becomes available, health care will see amazing improvements. By combining data layers from personal medical records, genetic information, and population-based statistics, doctors can provide better, more tailored treatments.

Take cancer care, where successful treatment often varies between patients. Big data allows researchers to collect information from previous cancer cases and use it to predict outcomes for new patients. This method could help determine which treatments work best based on genetic and historical patterns.

Beyond precision treatments, detailed data can aid patients with rare diseases that are currently hard to diagnose. Big data would allow physicians to spot patterns more effectively, leading to faster and more accurate understanding.

Examples

• Researchers use combined cancer case data to uncover better treatment matches.
• Big data can uncover trends that lead to faster diagnoses for rare conditions.
• Layered data helps predict which surgical methods may yield the best results for particular patients.

6. Predicting Diseases Before They Occur

What if doctors could anticipate chronic illnesses before symptoms develop? Data analysis may soon allow for advanced warnings about conditions like diabetes or PTSD, enabling preventive care that could save lives.

For chronic diseases like diabetes, which affects 29 million Americans, preemptive measures could drastically improve quality of life and reduce health care costs. Algorithms are already proving effective in predicting outbreaks; Healthmap, for instance, identified the 2014 West African Ebola epidemic days before the World Health Organization.

This predictive power holds promise for other diseases. For instance, war veterans predisposed to PTSD could be identified before symptoms manifest, ensuring timely interventions.

Examples

• Healthmap predicted the West African Ebola outbreak nine days before WHO announcements.
• Algorithms analyzing genetic data may warn patients susceptible to chronic conditions.
• Early detection systems could preemptively treat individuals likely to develop PTSD.

7. Challenges in Data Security and Ethics

While Big Data promises advancements, it also brings risks if sensitive medical data falls into the wrong hands. Hackers and identity thieves can manipulate or sell this information for personal gain.

For instance, medical identity theft has already affected millions of people, with records at 68 U.S. institutions breached since 2009. Beyond thieves, companies like Acxiom sell personal data for marketing purposes, raising ethical concerns when medical or genetic information is involved.

Governments and organizations are enacting laws to address such risks, but awareness remains paramount. The goal should be transparent systems where patients feel their privacy is respected.

Examples

• Hackers have exploited hospital databases to access sensitive records.
• Genetic discrimination laws aim to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage.
• Data brokers like Acxiom raise questions about how much information should be in private hands.

Takeaways

1. Consider using apps and telemedicine services for diagnoses or consultations to save time and reduce unnecessary visits.
2. Explore affordable genetic testing options like 23andMe to understand your unique health risks and traits better.
3. Stay informed about data privacy protections and advocate for careful handling of personal medical information.