“What Ifs�?

Posted on | December 12, 2007 | Comments Off on “What Ifs�?

Could “killer applications�? tip health care? By Mike Magee

What are the predictable actions of individuals, even those who support the status-quo, when confronted with a “killer application” that captures the imagination, has true utility and attracts engagement? Here are two examples, the first, a “what if.” Suppose on every Microsoft operating system there was a Lifespan Planning Record (LPR) that allowed an individual to begin planning for a child’s health prior to conception and extending 100 years out, to include the bereavement of survivors on that individual’s death. Now suppose that application was easy, entertaining, partially automated with embedded target dates for immunizations, cancer screenings, etc.; suppose it could embed one’s family history and (in the future) his or her genomic data; and suppose it could draw in automatically one’s medical data and beef it up with appropriate search information from clinical research and professional and consumer databases. Finally, suppose its use was as ubiquitous as the use of Microsoft Word – wouldn’t that single application, in and of itself, transform our health care system?

The second example is from real life – Apple’s iPhone. Through September, 1.4 million iPhones had been sold, compared to a projected 12 million mobile units outfitted in 2007 with Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system. In November, the 1.4 million iPhones were responsible for .09 percent of all web pages viewed, compared to the 12 million-plus Microsoft units, which contributed .06 percent of web page views. I mention these figures only to support my belief that the iPhone approach is a “killer application,” which I expect will soon become standard operating procedure for all mobiles. Of greater import is the busted mythology that mobile systems that browse the web would be too complex, too unfriendly, and too difficult to rely on. So here’s question two: Could this killer application — mobile, accessible to seniors and their multi-generational families — become the transformative home platform for the Lifespan Planning Record (LPR)?

Bill Crounse, MD, Worldwide Health Director for the Microsoft Corporation and host of HealthBlog responded to that question with these comments:

Mike,

Thanks for writing. Indeed, the reason we launched HealthVault was to provide a platform where an entire range of services like the ones you propose could reside. HealthVault is a place where health organizations, physicians, medical device manufacturers, wellness centers, and others can provision information and services in a secure and trusted environment. You are also correct that the SmartPhone, iPhone and other mobile devices will play an increasingly greater role in connecting people to health information and services, including personalized tele-health and tele-medicine applications.

Bill Crounse, MD

Bill well represents the skill set of today’s health care transformative leaders — clinical experience, communications background, early involvement with new media, experience in hospital IT build-outs, and governmental or corporate involvement in activities with significant financial and IT assets, as well as product or project penetration into the home. He’s positioned for change, engaged in new ideas, and grounded in relationship-based care. Traditional health care needs to carefully listen to people like Bill.