The international annual healthcare think tank meet-up that is TEDMED produced an interesting series of themes beyond the ones specifically outlined by TEDMED 2014 organizers. Some of the most interesting speakers revealed the fascinating brain chemistry at work behind humdrum rituals such as sleeping and breastfeeding.
Other speakers drew connections between the brain chemistry associated with drug addiction and obesity. At least three called attention to the need to find a better way to identify and report medical errors.
TEDMED will soon provide many of the presentations online but until then, here are some highlights to chew on.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Jeff Iliff, a neuroscientist who works as an assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, talked about the brain cleansing system discovered by a team of researchers that only works properly during sleep.
Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute of Drug Addiction at the NIH, talked about the intersection of drug addiction and obesity from a neuroscience perspective. Fun fact: She’s the great-granddaughter of Leon Trotsky.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, reviewed some of the milestones in personalized medicine such as the reduced cost in mapping the human genomes from hundreds of millions of dollars to around $1,000. Underscoring that point, Tute Genomics launched a patient portal to make it easier for scientists to access human genomes for personalized medical research. But he also shared concerns about the impact of NIH cuts on early stage biotech
Carla Pugh, director of health training at University of Wisconsin-Madison, commented on the need for better hands-on training for physicians. She called attention to sensor technologies that can immediately inform doctors when they’re doing something wrong
Eleanor Bimla Schwartz, a women’s health expert, called attention to unexpected medical benefits of breast feeding such as a significant reduction in heart failure. At a time when preventing chronic conditions is a top priority, the idea that breast feeding can prevent 14,000 heart attacks raises some interesting questions for public health education. A professor of Medicine at University of California Davis and medical director of FamilyPACT Evaluation Center.
