Due to insufficient preparedness and infrastructure in healthcare, our communities may continue to see the spread of more global diseases including the Coronavirus COVID-19.
But with greater awareness, prevention, and treatment options we can prevent the spread of diseases like Coronaviruses and improve outcomes so healthcare providers can provide more informed decisions to help their patients.
Discussing this matter is Dr. Dan O’Brien, a physician with and Chief Medical Director of multiple medical start-ups.
Q&A:
- Dr. Dan, can you elaborate on the future of healthcare technologies being able to predict diseases like Coronavirus? Answer: Predictive analytics and machine learning through the use AI are advances we are seeing across healthcare. Being able to predict a healthcare event before it occurs is a great use of new healthcare technology.
- What are your thoughts on preventing viruses like the Coronavirus COVID-19 from occurring?
Answer: The more proactive we are with our own health, the better outcomes we will have in the future, so seek out immediate care from a healthcare provider if you notice flu-like symptoms.
- Since you have a great deal of industry experience, how do you see the pharmaceutical and diagnostic biotech companies reacting to the recent Coronavirus outbreak?
Answer: The pharma companies can provide a great deal of research and development in these areas, and diagnostic companies with new technological diagnostic tools and advancements can possibly predict the likelihood of getting a virus like the Coronavirus. It’s another opportunity for medical companies to shine with R&D and be on the right side of science in order to utilize solid data to improve outcomes for patients as they additional tools help healthcare providers make more informed decisions.
- Dr. Dan, how might Coronavirus impact stocks? Answer: Cruise ship and airline stocks are likely to drop, but some healthcare and medical equipment stocks are likely to rise due to demand, including from China since their economy may go down, making them more reliant on U.S. goods. With the dangers of the spreading of other global diseases, the investment community is keeping a close eye on the progression of the coronavirus.
- Dr. Dan, do you foresee other global disease outbreaks?
Answer: The more we understand immunology and how are immune system works, this will be important going forward on predicting future disease occurrences.
- Dr. Dan, you are a medical futurist. Tell us what advances are around the corner.
Answer: The future lies in Telemedicine, Digital Health, Robotic Surgery Technology (shorter recovery, smaller incision, etc.), and Artificial Intelligence.
About Dr. Dan O’Brien
Dr. Dan O’Brien is a physician and professor with a passion for innovative healthcare technologies and public health. He understands the need to improve quality of care, cost, and access in healthcare.
As a Chief Medical Officer for multiple healthcare startups and an award-winning scientific and academic leader, Dr. Dan brings substantial experience in public health and healthcare management.
An award-winning scientific and academic leader, Dr. Dan has worked with several biotech and pharmaceutical companies on increasing awareness, education, and research in many diagnostic and therapeutic fields, including in the biotechnology industry.
Not only is Dr. Dan is a medical expert for the here and now, but he’s also a medical Futurist, with specialized knowledge in nanobots, remote surgery and medical apps with algorithms that can be used in early detection as well as using AI to project the likely spread of disease.
Dr. Dan has an extensive physician network including relationships with key opinion leaders around the world. He has completed his clinical rotations at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and also has completed a certificate of participation from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He has an MBA in healthcare management, and a B.A from the University of Notre Dame.
