At last year’s CareQuest Systemic Health Innovation Showcase, a pivotal panel discussion shed light on the future of patient care and the role of technology in enhancing healthcare outcomes. One compelling moment came when Dr. Maria Ryan, EVP & Chief Clinical Officer at Colgate-Palmolive, discussed her perspective on the evolving landscape of healthcare, with a particular focus on the role of Lura Health in advancing patient engagement and personalized care.
In her remarks, Dr. Ryan shared her vision of how connected technologies are transforming patient engagement, emphasizing the need for simplicity and integration. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways from her discussion:
The “Easy Button” for Patients
Dr. Ryan was asked about the “easy button” for patients — the features and functionalities that can make healthcare more accessible and engaging. Her answer? The ability to integrate data and technology seamlessly into patients’ lives, making it easier for them to participate actively in their own health management.
As a former practitioner with 20 years of experience as a periodontist, Dr. Ryan emphasized the importance of using connected technologies to empower both patients and healthcare providers. According to her, “We can help practitioners in their decision-making by engaging their patients and using connected technologies where we can create dashboards. These dashboards allow practitioners to learn about what their patients are doing at home, which aids in treatment and decision-making.”
The Power of Data Integration
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is the fragmentation of patient data across multiple platforms. Dr. Ryan highlighted this issue, noting, “You can’t have 15 different systems; it just makes it more complicated.” At Colgate, the company is working on integrating patient data into existing systems to make it “push-button ready” for healthcare practitioners.
This seamless integration, she explained, is crucial for both practitioners and patients. By simplifying the user experience for both groups, patients are more likely to engage with their care, and healthcare providers can make more informed decisions. Dr. Ryan also pointed to the growing interest from insurance companies in these technologies, which further emphasizes the importance of a unified, accessible healthcare ecosystem.
Personalized, Predictive, and Preventive Care
One of the most exciting aspects of Dr. Ryan’s talk was her focus on the four “P’s” of precision medicine: Preventive, Predictive, Personalized, and Participatory. At Colgate, Dr. Ryan explained, they’ve long been focused on preventive care, especially in the realm of oral health. However, as she pointed out, the future of healthcare isn’t just about preventing disease—it’s also about predicting it.
For instance, Dr. Ryan highlighted Lura Health, a company at the forefront of predictive healthcare technology. Lura Health’s innovative solutions, including their work on predictive tools for periodontal conditions, exemplify how technology can be used to identify health risks before they become critical issues. “We have Lura Health here, and last year, we also worked with RSDX, looking at cancer,” Dr. Ryan explained. These technologies can help identify high-risk patients, allowing for earlier interventions and more personalized care.
Empowering High-Risk Populations
Dr. Ryan also discussed how personalized care extends beyond simply tailoring treatment for individual patients. In particular, she pointed out the importance of targeting high-risk populations, such as those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or those living in remote areas. These groups, Dr. Ryan argued, can greatly benefit from the use of connected technologies that allow them to access care and monitor their health remotely.
For companies like Colgate, this approach is not only about offering personalized solutions but also about making care more accessible. By identifying high-risk groups and using technology to bridge gaps in care delivery, companies can help ensure that more people receive the attention and treatment they need.
The Role of Behavioral Science in Healthcare
Finally, Dr. Ryan touched on the critical role of behavioral science in improving patient outcomes. She emphasized that even with advanced technologies and predictive tools, the success of healthcare initiatives depends largely on getting patients to participate in their own care.
“Without getting people to participate in their care and be motivated to change behaviors, it’s very difficult to make lasting health improvements,” Dr. Ryan said. That’s why Colgate partners with companies like Gomo, which specializes in behavioral science to help patients with chronic diseases change their habits and improve their health outcomes. As Dr. Ryan pointed out, periodontal disease is the most common chronic disease globally, and yet many people don’t recognize its seriousness. By changing behaviors and raising awareness, healthcare providers can encourage more people to seek treatment and take control of their health.
In summary, Dr. Maria Ryan’s insights at the CareQuest Systemic Health Innovation Showcase underscored the critical importance of integrating technology, personalizing care, and empowering patients to take charge of their health. With the support of companies like Colgate, Lura Health, and others, the future of healthcare is not only more connected but also more accessible and patient-centric.
