Digital health startup Eko has a product that can detect murmurs more reliably than humans. At the recent American Heart Association meeting they presented a clinical study revealing the first murmur detection algorithm to outperform cardiologists. Predictably, the digital Twitterati touted the Eko Core Digital Stethoscope as the next great thing. Evidence of ... Continue Reading about Eko Core Digital Stethoscope – Analog Dressed for Digital?
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine – Are You For or Against?
Are you for or against artificial intelligence in medicine? With the rise of machine learning in healthcare this is becoming more common question. When confronted with this question, MIT’s Max Tegmark responds, “Are you for or against fire?” Fire of course can keep us warm but can also be mishandled by arsonists and others with nefarious intent. The problem is our ... Continue Reading about Artificial Intelligence in Medicine – Are You For or Against?
5 Reasons We’re Unprepared for Apple Watch ECG
Today Apple released the Apple Watch Series 4 watch. Later this year they will add functionality that allows users to record an ECG. This would make Apple Watch one of the first FDA-cleared over-the-counter devices with an electrocardiogram. Here are 5 reasons we’re not ready for this. 1. No bandwidth Right now the idea of individuals taking personal tracings is ... Continue Reading about 5 Reasons We’re Unprepared for Apple Watch ECG
Data Confrontation – Who is Responsible for a Patient’s Data?
This week marks the release of the Apple Watch Series 4 with the capability of EKG. From their wrist, users can record a rhythm that they can send to their doctor. Through most of history, data like EKGs were collected by hospitals and health professionals. This changes things. As watches move from fitness trackers to medical devices, questions emerge such as, what ... Continue Reading about Data Confrontation – Who is Responsible for a Patient’s Data?
Slow Medicine – Should Healthcare be Inconvenient?
Should healthcare be inconvenient by design? And should slow medicine be the default option in some circumstances? Slow medicine is a movement calling for change in medical practice which is inspired by the slow food movement. “Like for the slow food movement, slow medicine is a call to balance over-emphasis on fast processes which reduce quality.” But real-time ... Continue Reading about Slow Medicine – Should Healthcare be Inconvenient?
Apple Watch Series 4: Intelligent Guardian for Your Health
After today’s Apple Watch Series 4 announcement, CNBC reporter Chrissy Farr reported, “Apple stressed a lot today that this isn’t a physician replacement.” But Intelligent guardian for your health is pretty damn close. It’s a product that’s smart, always there and it has your back. Kind of like doctors used to be. I’m pretty certain that the Apple intelligentsia ... Continue Reading about Apple Watch Series 4: Intelligent Guardian for Your Health