E192 ‘Driving Change in the Healthcare Industry’ with Maynooth University’s Martin Curley

Today’s guest is  Martin Curley, Digital Health Leader and Professor of Innovation at Maynooth University. In the episode, Martin delves into the pressing need for digital transformation in healthcare, elaborating on how delays in diagnosis can significantly increase mortality risks. He offers his insights spanning experience from electronic engineering and executive roles at Intel and MasterCard, where he harnessed technology for profit with purpose.

Martin discusses the hurdles of adopting digital transformation within the HSE, where he used his experience of managing a network outside the conventional hierarchy to spur innovation, emphasising a strategic shift from in-house to external systems. He highlights methodologies like Open Innovation 2.0 to drive digital change in the healthcare sector.

Martin is optimistic about AI’s potential to revolutionise healthcare, underscoring how AI and digital tools can diagnose diseases like cancer earlier, thereby saving lives and cutting costs. He shares examples, such as using AI to monitor COVID-19 patients and predicting patient deterioration up to 12 hours in advance. This technological leap, if scaled globally, promises to enhance healthcare systems tenfold.

AI isn’t intended to replace healthcare professionals but to augment their capabilities. As Martin indicates, AI complements human skills, enhancing decision-making and efficiency. For instance, AI assists radiologists by improving diagnosis accuracy, presenting a partnership that could define the future of healthcare.

He also advocates for a health system redesign, transitioning from doctor-centric to patient-centric models. This shift includes leveraging mobile technology and AI agents to empower patients with personalised health information and management tools. Such innovations promote a more proactive and participative form of healthcare.

As resistance to change remains a significant barrier, Martin suggests designing solutions that offer unmatched convenience and simplicity, which naturally lowers resistance. He emphasises the transformative power of solutions that make healthcare interactions less cumbersome, citing telehealth as a prime example.

Education about AI and digital technologies across all age groups is also critical. Martin notes the importance of encouraging AI literacy alongside digital literacy to drive adoption and comfort with new technologies. This cultural shift towards embracing digital tools can promote broader societal engagement with AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Martin concludes with a hopeful perspective, anticipating a metamorphosis in healthcare driven by cohesive collaboration and innovative ecosystems. This transformation promises to deliver improved patient care, lower costs and better clinician experiences, shaping a more sustainable healthcare future.

In summary, Martin paints a vivid picture of the profound impact AI and digital innovations can have on healthcare. By overcoming cultural and systemic barriers, there is potential for extraordinary improvements in patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. As technology progresses, a new era of healthcare is on the horizon – one that prioritises patient wellbeing and systemic efficiency through digital transformation.