In collaboration with other public and private organizations, the Institute will be addressing challenges associated with the widespread adoption of wireless health solutions. Discrete and inter-related challenges apply to the medical community, third-party payers and end-users, as well as technology suppliers.
For end-users, challenges include device/product ease-of-use; the need for technology service and support after acquisition; fragmented product and service offerings; and, privacy and safety concerns. These challenges will be explored and addressed while devices are in development at the Institute.
The Institute will also work with the medical community to help shift the mindset from acute-care patient management to continuous monitoring of chronic conditions; earlier intervention and prevention; and, supported self-management. Physicians will require payment for their oversight services for wireless health applications, perhaps on a fixed amount per patient monthly basis. Physicians could also be incentivized by sharing the benefits associated with a reduction in hospitalization costs and/or the intensity of care. The Institute will be investigating these and other solutions applied to wireless technologies.
In addition, the Institute and others will be working with healthcare organizations, hospitals and other health facilities to ensure they have what they need to deploy wireless health innovations. Issues include reliable, high speed wireless service and coverage; capacity for remote device and infrastructure management; data integrity; authentication and validation; device interoperability and inter-compatibility; and, resolution of performance and interference issues.
Finally, traditional approaches to technology assessment, regulatory approval and reimbursement often result in delayed availability of medical advances. The Institute's in-house experts along with others in the field will be working to ensure timely introduction of the latest developments in wireless health.
