The hottest Healthcare Technology Substack posts right now

Scientists are experimenting with genetically modified bacteria to detect cancerous DNA, particularly in colorectal cancer, by programming them to signal the uptake of cancerous DNA.
The engineered bacteria, named CATCH, shows promise in detecting diseases like infections and cancers using cell-free DNA as input, but more refinement and safety evaluations are needed before clinical use.
The goal is not just disease detection, but also pairing the detection with appropriate biological therapy, allowing for real-time response to diseases detected.

Federated learning allows collaboration on models without sharing data centrally
FL in healthcare can help with precision medicine and rare disease research
FL can aggregate data from multiple sources without sharing the data itself

Scheduling in digital health involves validation, slotting, and booking appointments.
When deciding on technology, consider build vs. buy options based on company size and needs.
Various healthcare-specific vendors offer different solutions for direct and indirect scheduling.

The current FDA system for AI regulation may not be sustainable due to the growing number of applications and the high costs involved in getting AI systems approved.
The FDA is not equipped to regulate general-purpose AI systems like advanced AI doctors, leading to potential delays in innovation and challenges in handling new technologies.
People have the right to access information from AI systems for medical advice, similar to consulting books or other resources, which raises questions about the need for FDA regulation.

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Innovation Breakdown tells the story of a startup harmed by FDA actions, highlighting the challenges of bringing a new medical device through the FDA.
Medical device approvals at the FDA involve complex processes with regulatory uncertainties and the potential for regulatory roadblocks.
The book raises questions about regulatory transparency, advocating for policy reforms to speed up approvals, reduce uncertainty, and balance strictness and effectiveness testing.

Voice technology in healthcare can help patients and doctors by transcribing conversations and reducing errors.
Companies like Abridge and Suki are developing voice products to enhance patient care and doctor efficiency.
Building voice assistants for healthcare has potential for personalized patient and doctor interactions, but faces technical challenges and privacy concerns.

General Catalyst acquires Summa Health, a nonprofit health system, shifting from non-profit to for-profit.
Concerns arise about revenue models and potential changes in practice infrastructure with the acquisition.
The acquisition aims to modernize healthcare with the latest technology, potentially impacting patient care and provider preference.