Clinical research is only as good and thorough as the data that’s available — and we need to do a better job of making that data accessible for researchers.
Unfortunately, the majority of clinical data is based on the same clinical sites and makes conclusions off a limited range of data points. Clinical trials often exclude minorities, rare disease subtypes and other underrepresented populations.
Changing the way we gather and share clinical data isn’t easy. Hospitals, biobanks and
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The Rise of Fourth-Party Risk in Healthcare––And How to Combat It
In recent years, a wave of high-profile cyber attacks has shaken the healthcare industry to its core. Sensitive data has been breached; essential services have been forced offline; and healthcare providers have found themselves faced with unhappy customers and unsympathetic regulators.
As a result, many in the healthcare industry are now familiar with third-party vendors and the risks they pose. This is a positive development, but it is also insufficient.
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What Impact Could AI Have On Genetic Testing?
The sequencing and analysis of human DNA have advanced significantly since the initial draft of a human genome that was published as part of the Human Genome Project. With DNA sequencing becoming increasingly cost-effective, the market for genetic testing is growing at an accelerating rate – the market for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) services has an estimated annual growth of 18.3% from 2022 to 2030. AI presents a range of possibilities for this rapidly growing field, and in this article,
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A New Way of Thinking About Interoperability in 2023
Interoperability in the U.S. healthcare system has been an ongoing challenge. While there are several industry initiatives that are going to advance the industry and make incremental progress toward interoperability, there remain several gaps that are unaddressed.
Interoperability is a much broader concept that encompasses more than protocols, APIs, and limited networks. It’s about more than exchanging data through one-to-one connections between a provider, payer, or vendor. True
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Addressing the Diversity Challenge in Clinical Research Through Patient Advocacy
Diversity is paramount to the success of clinical research, both ethically and scientifically. Without adequate representation of racial and ethnic minorities, investigators lack an understanding of the safety and efficacy of novel treatments within those groups. From a scientific standpoint, an incomplete dataset hinders drug delivery and the development of breakthrough therapies – but from an ethical standpoint, underrepresentation creates a barrier to treatment options for populations that
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It’s Time to Stop Accepting the Payer-Provider Dynamic as ‘Adversarial’ and Work Toward Alignment
Today’s relationship between payers and providers is more fraught than ever. With a history of transactional, often adversarial, fee-for-service contract negotiations, it’s no wonder that the healthcare industry has grown too comfortable pitting payers and providers against each other.
The lack of trust and transparency between the two groups has led to a perceived misalignment of vision. Across the board, the administrative staff has shouldered the brunt of this friction, which in the end
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Targeted IT Solutions Ease Navigation and Shift to Value-Based Care
The new healthcare realm of value-based care (VBC), designed to reward healthcare providers with incentive payments for the quality of care and patient outcomes not simply the volume of services provided, presents both opportunities and challenges for all stakeholders. This fundamental shift in reimbursement is intended to become part of the larger quality strategy in reforming how healthcare is delivered and compensated: better care for individuals, better health for populations
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How and Why Device-as-a-Service Should Be an Employee Benefit
The Great Resignation changed how companies approach attracting and retaining talent. These days, it’s not enough to offer a competitive salary and traditional benefits like health insurance and a 401k. Employees have put an increased focus on flexibility – and the tools that support it.
Phones and tablets aren’t the flashiest perk a company can offer. Still, they’re the type of lifestyle benefit that offers clear value for employees – and helps address pain points for companies
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5 Components of a Patient-Centric eCOA Strategy for Oncology Clinical Trials
In the US alone, an estimated 1.9 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2022, positioning oncology as a key subject of clinical research. Throughout oncology trial development, it is important that stakeholders acknowledge that only patients can fully understand the impact of treatment on their lives. Regulators are now looking beyond clinical indications such as tumor size and delayed disease progression. When evaluating the risks and benefits of treatment, they want to know whether the
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Leveraging Technology to Bridge Gaps in Compliance
American health systems, hospitals and post-acute care providers are required to comply with hundreds of regulatory requirements. Facilitating this compliance comes with a high cost. According to the American Hospital Association, the average-sized community hospital spends nearly $7.6 million annually on administrative activities to support regulatory compliance. With the impending end of the COVID-19 public health emergency set to shake up healthcare regulations, ongoing healthcare labor
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