Why Health Tech Startups Need Physicians in the Development Process
The Physician’s Perspective on Digital Health Innovation
Physicians across the U.S. are raising a critical concern: we’re often excluded from the early stages of health tech development. As chronic diseases rise and connected care becomes essential, our input could be transformative. By involving clinicians earlier, developers can create tools that truly enhance patient care rather than hinder it.
The Consequences of Excluding End-Users
When digital health tools are designed without physician input, several problems emerge:
- Unintuitive workflows that disrupt clinical efficiency
- Excessive documentation demands that drain time from patient care
- Poor interoperability between systems
- Limited support for managing the deluge of new medical information
These issues contribute directly to physician burnout - a condition now affecting over 50% of practicing doctors according to recent estimates.
Beyond Technology: The Systemic Challenges
While digital tools aren’t solely responsible for burnout, they often exacerbate existing problems:
- Complex billing regulations (ICD-10 codes)
- Information overload in modern medicine
- Productivity pressures that dehumanize care
Though we can’t solve all these issues immediately, better-designed technology could significantly reduce the burden.
A Successful Case Study in Collaboration
One 70-physician practice demonstrated the power of clinician involvement:
- Invested in dedicating a physician to work with IT developers
- Created an EMR tailored to their clinical environment
- Developed a prototype now used across similar practices
The key takeaway? User-centered design works when clinicians are meaningfully involved.
Actionable Recommendations for Health Tech Developers
Here’s what physicians need from digital health tools:
Core Functionality Improvements
- Mobile-first design: Smartphone integration for on-the-go access
- Documentation efficiency: Speech-to-text features for real-time EMR updates
- Open platforms: Seamless system interoperability
Systemic Innovations
- Universal patient identification numbers (from birth)
- Patient-controlled health records
- AI-powered evidence curation for clinical decision support
The Future of Health Tech: A Call for Partnership
We stand at the brink of revolutionary advances in healthcare technology. Artificial intelligence and machine learning promise transformative potential - but only if these tools are developed with clinician input.
The path forward requires:
- Early, sustained engagement between developers and physicians
- Willingness from both sides to invest time and resources
- Shared commitment to creating tools that enhance rather than hinder patient care
By working together, we can build a digital health ecosystem that serves both providers and patients effectively.
About the Author: Dr. M. Christine Stock is a tenured professor of anesthesiology at Northwestern University and advisor to Health2047.
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