Dr. Eric Topol, the cardiologist and author who has built a reputation as an advocate for disruption in healthcare, is going to advise AT&T’s digital health division on its mobile health strategy. The telecommunications company has been adding mobile health tools as part of the AT&T ForHealth unit. Topol’s role won’t hurt in raising the company’s digital health unit, particularly as it gears up for the HIMSS conference later this month.
In the new role of Chief Medical Advisor, Topol will offer strategic guidance as the company adds mobile devices and mHealth products and services, according to a company statement. AT&T will apply Topol’s insights to enhance its current health IT solutions and improve consumer and enterprise adoption.
“Dr. Topol is a change agent who has dedicated his career to creating awareness and promoting adoption of health IT solutions to improve patient care,” said Chris Hill, a senior vice president in AT&T’s Business Solutions division. “Enlisting Dr. Topol into our AT&T ForHealth program will help us drive our competitive strategy as we focus on innovative solutions powered by our network.”
Last year AT&T launched a personal emergency-response service called EverThere. The wearable device is activated if the user falls and triggers a call to a 24-hour call center using AT&T’s wireless network. It also identifies their location.
Topol has promoted the use of smartphone and mobile technology to replace and supplement a physician’s duties. The idea is to help clinicians spend more time with the patients who need them most. In a memorable episode of the Colbert Report, he demonstrated these digital health tools in a physical exam on host Stephen Colbert.
But he has also emphasized, along with other cardiologists at Scripps, the need for these devices to show real-world clinical evidence that demonstrates mobile health’s benefits to patients, physicians and payers.
AT&T previously created the role of Chief Medical Innovation Officer. In that position, Dr. Geeta Nayyar added a clinical perspective to AT&T ForHealth and issues like the adoption of telemedicine. In September she moved to PatientPoint where she occupies a similar role
