Boston
The Lenox Hotel
July 29-30, 2010
Attendees: more than 100
Exhibits: 5
Media: about 12
Calysto Overview
The World Congress recently produced its 2nd annual Leadership Summit on mHealth. The purpose of this conference was to provide the emerging mHealth eco-system (i.e. providers, payers, policy-makers, device manufacturers and telecomm carriers) with insight into the clinical efficiencies and business opportunities for integrating mobile technologies into the care delivery model.
One of the big questions discussed at the conference was who will pay for mHealth? If widespread adoption is to occur, the current fee-for-service reimbursement system needs adjustment, or new payment models must be created that encourage providers toward adoption.
The mHealth event attracted C-level executives, innovation officers, medical directors and other decision makers for integrated delivery networks, hospitals and health systems, provider group practices, health plan and health insurers, as well as policy makers, members of academia, pharmaceutical companies and disease management companies.
The second mHealth Summit was well received by attendees. “There were a lot of good speakers this year,” said one attendee. “Mobile health is a hot topic right now, and a lot of people were excited to find out more about what’s available.”
Another said he was pleased with the program, adding that it was well put together with many interesting and knowledgeable speakers.
Conference topics assessed the future of consumer-connected health care, consumer engagement and remote monitoring, as well as determined how to successfully apply mobile technology for clinical decision support. Attendees also learned how to develop a market segmentation plan and mobile communication strategies targeted toward each generation’s needs for successful adoption.
New this year was a half-day workshop titled Consumer Engagement Through New Media - Mobile, Video Gaming and Virtual Worlds. The mobile phone, the "Swiss Army knife of life management", is the vital health/fitness tool of the 21st Century. The workshop included real-time, interactive exercises allowing attendees to assess how iPad and other similar devices can deliver measurable health benefits to consumers, patients and professionals.
We heard from a few who participated that the workshop was well received. One attendee said it was nice to get the audience more involved. “There was definitely more interaction and brainstorming than at a traditional panel,” he said.
Although the Leadership Summit on mHealth did not include a traditional exhibit hall, this year organizers introduced the "Innovation Incubator," which was integrated with the Executive Networking Exhibit Lounge. The Incubator allowed organizations the opportunity to display their innovations through a large display poster, but participants were also invited to bring their actual innovation for a tabletop display. Only one company took advantage of the Innovation Incubator this year, but four other exhibitors set up tabletop displays, including Alcatel-Lucent, Quest Diagnostics and Diversinet.
Organizers weren’t overly discouraged by the small number of exhibitors. They are always trying to find alternative ways for companies to get involved and plan to roll out the incubator at several of their other events as well.
Because the focus of this event is on education and networking, with just a few exhibits, it’s not an event for events for vendors to make announcements. However, several members of the trade media were on handto cover the information that came out of the summit. Attendees liked having the tabletop displays available to show off some of the technology, although one attendee commented that he would have like to have seen a few more exhibits.
This is a good event for those trying to reach the health care sector. Although it always will be a niche event, it is likely to grow over the next few years as more health care institutions look to find ways to utilize mobile technology effectively. The educational program is strong and provides opportunities for speakers.
Articles of Interest
Healthcare Providers Debate mHealth Opportunities, Obstacles at Leadership Summit
MedHealthWorld
By J.M. Graham
Aug. 4, 2010
Understanding Patient's Mobile Phone Use is Key to Efficiency, Panel Says
FierceHealthcare
By Alicia Caramenico
Aug. 3, 2010
West Wireless CMO: Opting for Money-saving Mobile Technologies is a Matter of Priorities
FierceMobileHealthcare
By Neil Versel
Aug. 3, 2010
Panel: Physicians Must Understand Patients' Bond With Their Phones
iHealthBeat
Aug. 2, 2010
mHealth: Telemedicine Delivers Patient Decision Support
HealthImaging.com
By Mary Stevens
Aug.1, 2010
World Congress Holds Leadership Summit on Mobile Health
MedHealthWorld
By J.M. Graham
July 30, 2010
Mobile Health Strategy Must Grasp Link Between Smartphone and User, Panel Says
Computerworld
By Fred O’Connor, IDG News
July 30, 2010
Smartphones, Tablets Seen Boosting Mobile Health
PC World
By Fred O’Connor, IDG News
July 29, 2010
mHealth: Infrastructure-independent Care is Path to Cutting Chronic Disease Costs
CMIO
By Mary Stevens
July 29, 2010
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