The digitization of healthcare is fast emerging with a multitude of technologies at its disposal. In this article we will:
- Investigate the domains of digital health
- Distinguish digital therapeutics (DTx) from the rest of the field
- Use a real world DTx example to understand how the domains of digital health are all interlinked
What is Digital Health?
Digital health is an evolving field that encompasses the use of digital technologies. It is an umbrella term describing a broad category that comes in many technological forms including, but not limited to, mobile health, telemedicine, and wearable devices. Digital health solutions enable providers to access patient data more quickly and improve diagnoses and treatments while reducing costs. Digital health also offers people more control over their own health information, enabling them to manage their care in a more efficient and personalized way.
The 3 largest domains of digital health are arguably telemedicine, wearable technologies, and mobile health. We will take a look at these domains in greater detail and explore how they are not mutually exclusive, but rather intrinsically linked with one another.
Telemedicine (telehealth)
Telemedicine is the use of digital information and communication technologies in healthcare, such as video conferencing, to provide medical services at a distance. It enables providers to diagnose and treat patients, even when they are not physically present. Telemedicine allows for more efficient and convenient access to care, reduces travel time and costs, enables diagnosis of conditions in remote regions or countries, and allows for greater collaboration between healthcare providers. The term can generally be used interchangeably with 'telehealth'.
In recent years, telemedicine has seen a rapid rise in popularity and usage. According to a recent survey of US physicians conducted by Bryter, 70% reported having used or recommended telemedicine to their patients.
Wearable technologies
Wearable technology is a type of electronic device, typically connected to the body. Some examples of wearable technology in healthcare include implants, biosensors worn on the skin, smartwatches, patches, clothes, etc. Wearables are designed for convenience and comfort so that users barely notice them on their bodies. The most popular types of wearables are those that record health-related data such as heart rate and calorie burning. These wearables allow users to monitor their body’s functions in real time.
In digital health, these technologies are used to gather patient data continuously - this reduces the need for frequent in-person consultations as doctors are able to track patient data in real time and act accordingly. Wearables are also widely used currently: in the recent survey conducted by Bryter, 52% of US physicians reported having used or recommended sensors and/or wearable devices to their patients.
mHealth
mHealth, or Mobile Health, is the use of mobile technologies to promote health and deliver healthcare services. Examples of mHealth include the use of mobile phones, tablets and other wearable technology to collect medical data, access clinical services such as remote consultation, record symptoms and treatments, provide educational material to patients and more.
There are many aspects to mHealth, ranging from sending reminders for medication adherence and chronic disease management to providing real-time patient data collection. mHealth also has potential applications in remote monitoring, home healthcare services, telemedicine and mobile messaging systems.
In Bryter's recent survey amongst US physicians, 49% reported having used or recommended mHealth tools (such as nutrition apps) to their patients.
What are digital therapeutics (DTx)?
DTx is a domain of digital tools. However, in contrast to digital health which includes both hardware and software-based solutions, DTx is defined as software designed to cause evidence-based therapeutic intervention in the prevention, management, or treatment of diseases or medical disorders.
DTx is responsible for providing intervention to the patient via a technology platform (app) or medical/pharmaceutical device, but also provides capability for real-time feedback for clinicians.
Most importantly, DTx must be clinically approved based on clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating clinically meaningful outcomes. The clinical evidence and real-world outcomes are the threshold that separates DTx from digital medicine and digital health.
DTx has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in numerous ways, though one of its most noteworthy applications is the ability to alter and change patient behavior.
While the other domains of digital health discussed above are very popular, digital therapeutics are gaining greater awareness and adoption. According to the recent Bryter survey amongst US physicians, 16% reported having used or recommended DTx to their patients - a figure which is bound to grow.
Case study: RelieVRx
We will now use a real-world example to help better understand how all the domains of digital health are interlinked:
The DTx component. RelieVRx is an FDA-approved DTx that uses virtual reality to help patients manage chronic lower back pain via non-pharmacological means in the comfort of their own homes. The program consists of interactive virtual sessions consisting of deep breathing, mindfulness, stretching, and relxation techniques.
The wearable component. In order to use the DTx software, users need to wear a virtual reality (VR) headset. It is a head-mounted device widely used with VR compatible video games; however, it can also be used for a range of applications such as education, training simulations, virtual tourism, and now medicine. VR headsets are typically composed of two parts: the display device and the tracking system. The display device is worn like regular eyeglasses and contains either LCD or OLED screens which provide an immersive 3D viewing experience. The tracking system is responsible for monitoring movements within a certain area to ensure that what is displayed on the headset matches up with what is happening in real life.
The telemedicine component. This pillar of digital health also finds a place in our case study. Most DTx services have an important cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) component. DTx is prescribed as an adjunct treatment and therefore patients may need to follow up their immersive 'VR sessions' by speaking to CBT therapists via videoconference. CBT therapists could then collaborate with the other necessary specialties (e.g., orthopedics). The net result is more efficient and convenient access to care.
Ultimately, digital health is an ever-evolving field that advances the traditional healthcare sphere through utilization of digital tools and technologies. Telemedicine, wearable technologies, mobile health, and digital therapeutics are all integral domains of this field, working together to provide improved access to healthcare, drive patient engagement, reduce costs, and yield more personalized treatment solutions.
Arguably, at the crux of it all lays digital therapeutics (DTx) which must meet a higher threshold for approval through clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals, and which is expected to form a key part of the treatment paradigm. Thinking back to our earlier case study and to put it briefly, if the VR headset can be thought of as the syringe, then DTx can be thought of as the treatment to be administered.
About Bryter and digital pharmaceutics
Bryter is an international market research and insights consultancy specialising in pharmaceutical research. We work with leading manufacturers and service providers to better understand the role pharma plays in people’s lives, enabling them to develop & market their products and services more effectively.
Read more about innovation in digital health and its impact on patient experience and the delivery of healthcare
You can read more about digital therapeutics and access a variety of other reports and resources at our website bryter-global.com
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