Digital health: guardian angel or 'Big Brother'?
Cardiologist Professor Martin Cowie raised an important issue during a session to examine the challenges of the Digital Cardiovascular Health Revolution, held at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2019 in Paris.
In his presentation ‘Future impact of digital health on patients – guardian angel or big brother?’, he confirmed that, within digital health transformation, the role of physician and the patient-doctor relationship will continue. However, this, he said, will change over time and it is crucial for doctors – and cardiologists – to fully engage in discussion to help shape the future of digital healthcare.
GP access 24/7
Cowie pointed to the Babylon Health App, with which NHS patients in the UK can leave their GP surgery and sign up to the app to gain GP access 24/7 – although chronic conditions, mental health and pregnancy are not covered. 35,000 NHS patients have already signed up, he noted.
As Professor of Cardiology at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London – and chair of the ESC digital health committee – he said cardiologists will still need to interact with patients to conduct complex procedures. However, he foresaw where much of the preparation – such as the imagery in advance – may be conducted remotely.
Read the whole article on healthcare-in-europe.com/digital-health-guardian-angel-or-big-brother
