Digital health technologies will be ‘game changers’, Dubai conference hears

Smartphone apps due to launch in Dubai within weeks will help pass on vital patient information to doctors and paramedics in emergency situations. And virtual clinics with family doctors will soon help free up congested hospital waiting rooms.

Fitness expert Ivana checks out some of the equipment at the Digital Health Live exhibition on Tuesday. Victor Besa for The National.

DUBAI // Sensors and biomarkers that send personal health information will be “game changers” in responding to future healthcare needs, experts say.

Health industry innovators predict a shift towards virtual tools including biomarkers, or digital charts that show the extent of a condition, will help to deliver changes in the way health care is funded and delivered.

Smartphone apps due to be launched in Dubai within weeks will pass on vital patient information to doctors and paramedics in emergency situations.

And virtual clinics with family doctors will soon be used to free up congested hospital waiting rooms.

Ideas and innovations were on show on the first of the three-day Digital Health Live at Dubai World Trade Centre on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event was former Apple and Pepsi chief executive John Sculley.

“This technology is enjoying an incredible rate of growth,” said Mr Sculley.

“The use of sensors and biomarkers won’t replace the need for doctors but they will be game changers and enable them to access high-tech tools to make faster and more effective diagnosis.

“Engaging consumers to improve their own health and fitness through everyday smartphone technology is now the most effective method of adapting our behaviour to reduce the growing financial burden of health care.”

Eye-catching interactive displays offered an insight into the changing face of personalised health care and data sharing to deliver fast, accurate diagnosis.

Two smartphone applications are due to be launched in Dubai this month, aimed at blind and deaf people to help them access appropriate medical care.

Same’e is a visual app that loads patient information through a video call with sign language so emergency responders can communicate with deaf patients.

Olem is tailored for blind patients and has the same information but is voice activated through a smartphone.

Oubai Abbasi, who designed the applications, said: “The patient will be prompted to answer questions about their injury or situation via their smartphone.

“That detail is then passed on to paramedics and doctors who can help offer the right course of action.”

Patient information is pre-loaded on to a profile and the patient’s direct location is sent to emergency services.

Dubai start-up company Nuviun was founded by Emirati twins Erfan and Omran Al Hashemi, their teacher at UAE University Dr Tamer Shahin and colleague Wasim Hamid.

Their developments include an interactive bathroom mirror displaying personal health information and a smart fridge offering healthy-eating advice.

Nuviun has also been involved in developing technologies to encourage healthy eating choices at public vending machines by displaying food calorie content.

Other advances are utilising existing technology, allowing one-to-one video check-ups with the family GP from the comfort of home, freeing up hospital waiting rooms.

Each concept was displayed through an interactive platform to show how it could be used in the real world in the city, at home and in a clinical environment.

Erfan Al Hashemi would like to see the innovations launch in Dubai first.

“We looked at the main elements that contribute to a healthy lifestyle and wanted to integrate that into everyday life,” Mr Al Hashemi said.

“Smart watches would be able to detect what food choices we are making at vending machines and adapt it with our lifestyles to come up with healthier alternatives.

“With the lack of walking we do, and lifestyle-related health conditions, the choices we are making have a huge impact on our future healthcare needs.

“The future will no longer be focusing on how to treat people when they are getting sick but how to help them to lead a healthier lifestyle to reduce the burden on the country’s GDP and medical costs.”

Digital health care encourages different technologies to talk to one another, driving continuity of care, reducing care gaps and ensuring preventive care is initiated earlier.

Dr Shahin said digital health technologies were helping to advance the sector by improving patient outcomes.

“The benefit of digital health care and medical tourism is two-fold,” he said.

“Advancement in technology in our home country helps in the growth of medical tourism and is beneficial for both residents and visitors as they have access to a high level of healthcare services.”