Medicine 3.0 | Ep 15 | Precision Medicine and AI: Reshaping the Future of Healthcare with Dr. Adam Carewe
In this episode of Medicine 3.0, Dr. Jared Pelo sits down with Dr. Adam Carewe, a family medicine physician and informaticist, to explore the exciting intersection of technology and healthcare. Dr. Carewe shares his journey from tech-savvy medical student to healthcare informatics leader, offering valuable insights into the future of medicine.
From Walkie-Talkies to EHRs: A Technologist's Journey
Dr. Carewe's fascination with technology began in childhood with his grandfather's cool gadgets, like brick-sized walkie-talkies. This early interest evolved through medical school and residency, where he volunteered to help transition from paper to electronic health records (EHRs). This experience marked his entry into informatics and eventually led him to Kaiser Permanente, where he became deeply involved in optimizing EHR systems for clinicians and patients.
The Challenge of Healthcare Software
The podcast delves into why healthcare software often lags behind consumer technology in user experience. Dr. Carewe points out that early EHRs were designed primarily for billing and compliance rather than user-friendliness. However, he notes that recent developments in ambient AI are starting to make healthcare technology more invisible and user-friendly, potentially revolutionizing how doctors interact with patients and records.
AI: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Physicians
Both doctors express optimism about AI's potential to transform healthcare. They predict that AI will enhance physicians' capabilities rather than replace them. Dr. Carewe envisions a future where primary care physicians might manage 10,000 to 20,000 patients while still providing personalized care, thanks to AI assistance.
The Promise of Personalized Medicine
The conversation touches on the exciting possibilities of personalized medicine. Dr. Carewe discusses how genomic data could inform more precise treatment decisions, such as choosing the most effective blood pressure medication based on an individual's genetic profile. This level of personalization could significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce trial-and-error in treatment.
Addressing Public Health Challenges
The doctors don't shy away from discussing pressing public health issues, particularly the rise in childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. They emphasize the need for better food policies and innovative approaches to make healthy food more accessible and affordable for everyone, highlighting the complex interplay between healthcare, policy, and societal factors.
Reimagining Healthcare Delivery
Dr. Carewe predicts a significant disruption in healthcare delivery in the coming years. He suggests that improved preventive care and personalized medicine could reduce the need for frequent hospitalizations, potentially leading to a decrease in the number of large hospitals. This shift could fundamentally change the healthcare landscape as we know it.
Advice for Future Healthcare Innovators
The podcast concludes with valuable advice for those entering the healthcare technology field. Dr. Carewe stresses the importance of understanding both clinical needs and technological capabilities. He argues that the most successful health tech solutions will come from those who can bridge this gap, combining medical knowledge with technological expertise.
Looking Ahead
Both doctors agree that we're on the cusp of a healthcare revolution. While challenges remain, particularly in areas like public health and healthcare economics, the potential for AI and other technologies to revolutionize patient care is immense. As Dr. Carewe puts it, we're approaching a future where we might be able to prevent diseases like heart disease entirely, fundamentally changing the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention.
For those inspired by Dr. Carewe’s insights and wanting to follow his work:
- Connect with him on LinkedIn (but please, no product pitches!)
- Check out his Substack at rusi.com for blog posts and his NerdMDs podcast
As medicine continues to evolve at a rapid pace, staying informed about these technological advancements will be crucial for healthcare providers, patients, and anyone interested in the future of health and wellness. This episode of Medicine 3.0 offers a fascinating glimpse into that future, highlighting both the challenges we face and the immense potential of technology to improve patient care and outcomes.
Key Takeaways
0:47 - Dr. Carewe’s background and journey into healthcare informatics
- Early fascination with technology
- Transition from medical school to informatics
7:26 - Identifying and solving problems in healthcare IT
- Observation of communication gaps in EHR usage
- Development of training programs for clinicians
13:42 - Why healthcare has struggled to achieve user-friendly software
- Initial focus on billing and compliance rather than user experience
- Regulatory constraints in healthcare software development
20:58 - Predictions about AI's impact on healthcare in the near future
- AI enhancing rather than replacing physician capabilities
- Potential for primary care physicians to manage larger patient populations
28:34 - The importance of embracing AI in medical practice
- Comparison to the adoption of smartphones in business
- Physicians who embrace AI will likely outperform those who don't
32:51 - Exciting developments in personalized medicine and genomics
- Potential for more precise medication choices based on genetic profiles
- Shift from trial-and-error medicine to data-driven decisions
37:55 - Addressing public health challenges, particularly in nutrition
- Rise of type 2 diabetes in children
- Need for changes in the food industry and public health policies
42:17 - Ideas for incentivizing healthier lifestyles through insurance models
- Potential for health insurance to reward healthy behaviors
- Comparison to life insurance models
43:51 - Where to follow Dr. Adam Carewe’s work
- LinkedIn presence
- Substack blog and NerdMDs podcast at rusi.com