Revolutionising healthcare: navigating the future of patient-centred innovation

Sciana Fellow Rishi Das Gupta reflects on what he learned at this year’s OECD High-Level Policy Forum
 
Global health systems, already fragile before, have suffered further blows in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall health and life expectancy have seen a decline, accompanied by a loss of trust in national institutions. With a desire to redirect funds to other sectors after extensive spending on healthcare during the pandemic, the echoes of the austerity period from 2008 are palpable, and we continue to struggle to attract enough people into the traditional healthcare delivery professions. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the intersection of digital advancements and genomics presents a promising avenue for transformative change. 

Last month, I had the privilege of participating in the OECD High-Level Policy Forum, supported by the Health Foundation, Commonwealth Fund, and Financial Times. This year’s event was titled “The Future of People-Centred Innovation.” 

The Forum delved into three pivotal aspects set to shape the future of healthcare: 

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and health
• Genomic and genetic medicine
• The impact of climate change

Below are some reflections I took from the discussions.

The AI dilemma: balancing potential and risks

As we stand on the cusp of the age of AI, the discussions highlighted the need to navigate the benefits of AI while safeguarding trust, resilience, and privacy. 

The potential is vast, but cautionary tales emerged about the risks of applying algorithms trained on historical data without disrupting the future of healthcare. Struggling with regulation, countries aim to ensure that AI models are explainable, equitable, and impactful.

Genomics: targeting treatments and prioritizing opportunities

Genetic medicine offers the promise of targeted treatments to individuals based on their genetic risks. While enthusiastic scientists speak excitedly about interventions to adapt the immune system or edit genes, the opportunities vary in scope and cost. There was a call to prioritise opportunities that can be implemented for large populations quickly, particularly by improving the targeting of existing medicines based on genetic factors and using genetics to direct high-risk patients to early treatment. This might offer larger benefits in the short term than the headline-grabbing techniques targeting cancers or conditions such as sickle cell disease.

Climate change: a looming threat to global health

The impact of climate change on health is undeniable and expected to worsen. Whether viewed as a standalone threat or a multiplier for other health risks, the urgency to address it is clear. This was highlighted in a report for the World Economic Forum produced with Oliver Wyman titled "Quantifying The Impact Of Climate Change On Human Health," which highlights that the impact of climate change on the global economy could be $12.5 trillion by 2050, and it might claim 14.5 million lives per year.

The health sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (about five per cent of total emissions) and necessitates a thoughtful approach to innovation generally to limit the impact on emissions. Across OECD countries, there seem to be short-term opportunities by focusing on waste management, consumables, and travel reduction. There are also longer-term opportunities by improving health overall and reducing the use of healthcare more broadly.

Embracing patient-centred healthcare and innovating with care

Amidst the challenges discussed at the Forum, there seemed to be unanimous agreement on the importance of making healthcare more people-centred. 

The focus on applying a value-based healthcare approach resonated across discussions, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts and using metrics that matter to people. Capturing data securely and using it to identify at-risk patients for early intervention emerged as the top short-term opportunity. Interestingly, this might result in prioritizing those people with mental health problems who might benefit most from earlier treatment.

While industries like finance and retail have successfully applied innovation, healthcare demands a more measured approach due to its inherent risks. Franke Vandenbroucke, deputy prime minister of Belgium, emphasised that the opportunities presented by AI and genomics depend on robust health policies that drive innovation and equity.

In conclusion, the journey towards patient-centered healthcare is multifaceted, encompassing digital transformation, genomic breakthroughs, and climate resilience. 

As we navigate this path, the lessons learned from the Forum underscore the importance of thoughtful innovation, ethical considerations, and a steadfast commitment to putting patients at the centre of healthcare's evolution. 

The future is both challenging and promising, and the choices we make today will undoubtedly shape the health landscape of tomorrow.

Photo: © OECD

This article was authored by Sciana Fellow Rishi Das Gupta. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of their organisation(s), Sciana: The Health Leaders Network, nor those of the Sciana Network's three funding foundations.