Day 2 - Tuesday, June 23: The Point of No Return

The question was asked by the representative from the National Health Service of the UK really stuck with me. She explained that before COVID, doctors were paid less (reduced the tariff) if they utilized telemedicine technologies. Since the pandemic, the technology has become a major part of the healthcare system to protect patients and to protect vulnerable providers.

The question: Has the benefit been so great, that the technology will continue to be a part of the healthcare system? Most feel the answer is “Yes.”

Today, the focus seemed to be on brining back the joy that providers can get by truly caring for patients. Removing barriers from that relationship improves all aspects of the care. The need for mental health care for providers during these stressful times was also highlighted and we were encouraged to find ways to provide peer-to-peer support.

In eye care, I attended a session about Artificial Intelligence specifically designed to detect diabetic retinopathy from retinal photos. One speaker said, “this is designed to keep patients out of eye doctors’ offices.” I must admit, that bothered me some, but the next speaker highlighted the need to be “clear and accountable” in AI. The purpose must be to keep doctors connected to their doctors because “people trust people.”

However, there IS a significant access problem in the world. We have to do something!