What's the ViVE? Takeaways from Monday at the show put on by HLTH in Nashville, TN

While Monday wasn't day 1 of the conference officially, it was day 1 for me after many travel delays on Sunday.  I mean it is winter, right? For me, attending the ViVE 2025 Digital Health Conference in Nashville has been an enlightening experience, offering deep insights into the current and future landscape of healthcare. My goal in attending is to get a more clear picture of the problems and frustrations affecting Providers and others in our Health Care system and be able to offer solutions. Here are my four key takeaways from Day 1 of the event:

1. Virtual Care's Vital Role in Rural Health

Virtual care continues to be the answer for delivering healthcare services to rural communities, addressing the persistent challenge of limited medical resources. However, significant obstacles remain, particularly concerning access to qualified providers and being able to offer robust technical support to those who are as many as 400 miles away from their provider. Dave Newman, CMO of Sanford Health told stories of the obstacles patients face in rural North Dakota where it is currently -24 degrees Fahrenheit and people are hundreds of miles away from care facilities. Overcoming these barriers is essential to fully realize the potential of Telehealth to increase access to care in these underserved areas.

2. Navigating Physician Adoption of New Technologies

The integration of innovative virtual health programs faces resistance due to established routines and workflows among physicians and hospital staff.  To facilitate smoother transitions, it's important that vendors incorporate comprehensive training, effective change management strategies, and collaborative approaches. Engaging healthcare providers throughout the implementation process ensures that new technologies are more effectively integrated into clinical practice. 

3. The Rise of Doctorpreneurship

A notable trend is the emergence of 'Doctorpreneurs'—physicians who are venturing into entrepreneurship. This movement is fostering innovation within the healthcare sector, leading to the development of novel solutions and improved patient care models. While many providers and physicians are reluctant to branch out into more risky endeavors, perhaps because they feel trapped by mountains of student loan debt and a well paying job, the entrepreneurial spirit among many medical professionals is poised to drive significant advancements in healthcare delivery.  For Dr. Shiv Rao, who chose medicine while an undergrad at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh where Secure Telehealth is based, entrepreneurship was a way to have an larger positive impact on the world than he could even as a Doctor. 

4. Wearables: Progress and Potential

Wearable technology holds promise for enhancing home healthcare by enabling continuous patient monitoring and data collection. However, current devices are not yet comprehensive solutions to the complex challenges of home healthcare. Continued innovation and integration are required to fully harness the capabilities of wearables in this context. For example, what happens when the battery dies?  or the device becomes disconnected?  There are so many potential positives but also potential problems.

Additionally, I had the pleasure of engaging in a thought-provoking conversation with Maria Clara Mesa, founder and Chief Growth Officer of Alternova. Our discussion delved into emerging innovations in healthcare, the importance of research, and the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship which can have many ups and downs. Maria's passion for developing technology solutions that enhance human well-being is truly inspiring. Her work at Alternova exemplifies how blending technology with a deep understanding of the human condition can lead to impactful advancements in digital health.

In conclusion, ViVE 2025 has underscored the critical need for collaborative efforts, continuous innovation, and a patient-centered approach in shaping the future of healthcare. By addressing existing challenges and embracing new opportunities, we can work towards a more accessible and efficient healthcare system for all.

"Collaboration is the new Currency"

To learn more about Alternova's approach to healthcare gamification, watch this interview with Maria Clara Mesa.