Digital health developers are increasingly seeking physician involvement in the design of their tools. However, physicians will need to find time and opportunities to participate in the development process, according to a blog post from the American Medical Association.
The AMA is currently working on a few strategies to support the development of necessary technologies that do not add administrative burdens to physicians. The trade group's Digital Health Implementation Playbook, which it released in late 2018, lays out key steps, best practices and resources to move care outside of exam rooms.
The AMA also launched its Physician Innovation Network to give physicians the opportunity to get involved in the development process of emerging solutions. The network gives physicians the chance to connect with technology companies.
Indu Subaiya, MD, co-founder of digital media company Health 2.0, expressed similar ideas about physicians becoming more involved in digital health development during a presentation at AMA National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C, earlier this week. She said that if tech companies and physicians collaborate, new tools could be developed for decision support, care coordination, patient education and patient identification.
Physicians can also help encourage digital health companies to integrate social determinates of health into treatment solutions, she added.
To read the AMA's complete report, click here.