How Advances in Data and Tech are Revolutionizing the Business Side of Medicine

While most of today’s headlines focus on new FDA-approved drug launches and the overall increasing cost of our health care in the U.S., the real big news is on how advances in data, artificial intelligence and patient advocacy are lining up to transform the entire patient-care experience as we know it.

As almost anyone dealing with the modern health care system can attest, this is an area where improvements have been sorely needed for some time. Gone, in large measure, is the faith we once had as patients, that we’re being diagnosed properly, being given the best treatment options available and even being billed correctly when we’re finally invoiced.

The internet has been the great equalizer when it comes to improving the patient journey. As a resource, it’s allowed patients to research their ailments, discover treatment options — including holistic and experimental ones, identify noted specialists in the field and open access to affordable prescription medications.

Sadly enough, it’s the health care industry itself that’s fallen short when it comes to giving patients a truly satisfying customer experience. It’s difficult to blame them. The industry is on a playing field that’s largely dominated by the conflicting needs of institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device conglomerates, insurance companies, regulators and lobbyists. It’s no wonder the patient experience has lost primary importance.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my own journey, it’s that a big part of healing is giving patients hope and support. This part of the healing process is often overlooked in the medical community.

Fortunately, there is a bright spot on the horizon. Having seen how data analysis, artificial intelligence and even modern consumer engagement methods have improved business performance across the board, the medical community is finally coming to the realization that a modernization effort is necessary. That’s not easy for a gigantic industry that’s thrived on an abundance of caution and always been slow to embrace change.

But it is happening. In my own experience, as a frustrated testicular cancer survivor, I often found myself informing my own doctors about new treatment methods or effective support services that are available to survivors of this devastating disease. On my trek to recovery, I’d identified a number of areas where the patient experience had fallen woefully short. Often times, my doctors even agreed with me.

First, as a patient advocate for my own health, then as founder of both The Center for Advocacy for Cancer of the Testes International (CACTI) and the TH!NK DIFFERENT Foundation, I started putting together a network of professionals and resources that could help make meaningful improvements to the patient journey.

Data was an early ally to my cause. Through the TH!NK DIFFERENT Foundation, we are independently supporting the largest testicular cancer database which was established at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. Gathering information about cutting-edge treatment options, patient experiences and the hormonal effects of cancer therapy has been invaluable and groundbreaking. We’ve had promising results guiding future treatment and surveillance of survivors.

Inspired by my talks with researchers and medical professionals, I decided to earn a degree as a certified Strategic Healthcare Advisor from Cornell University. With this degree, I can start applying my two and a half decades of using predictive analysis, business acumen and maneuvering through cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship to help shape the future of medicine.

Together with other advocates and medical practitioners, I’ve started a new consulting agency known as Revitally, which will leverage the power of data, AI and analysis to fast-track long overdue changes in the medical industry. Revitally is going to help healthcare businesses plan strategically
for the future, based on facts, statistics and trends in the marketplace — not on guesses and things that worked yesterday.

These are all signs that the medical community is the beginning of a transformative era, one that is sure to make marked differences in the way patients are cared for and treated going forward.

Scott Petinga is on a one-man crusade to change the way patient advocacy works on a global scale. Since successfully battling testicular cancer 15 years ago — where he witnessed firsthand the significant service shortcomings in the cancer treatment community — Petinga has been active in causes that support men’s health. He founded the TH!NK DIFFERENT Foundation and Center of Advocacy for Cancer of the Testes International (CACTI) which both strives to redefine the way patient’s receive care and is helping reshape the voice of advocacy globally.