Talking HealthTech: 314 – Driving innovation in aged care and digital health – AWS & ANDHealth

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As the population grows, so makes the daily demand for medical care. Frontline staff are doing their best in the face of an ageing population and an increasing burden of chronic disease, but something has to give. Technology has a great chance to keep healthcare running smoothly and drastically change the industry.

In this episode, Pete speaks with representatives from DDM, ANDHealth and AWS about the opportunities for healthcare start-ups in Australia and New Zealand,  other entrepreneurs have approached these situations, what we can learn from their experiences, and how a start-up can be part of the program..

Meet the guests

Andrew Tulloch, joined ANDHealth in July after working in the corporate, government, and consultancy areas of industry growth. Andrew began his career at KPMG in Melbourne and has since worked for Austrade and served as CEO of Trade & Investment Queensland. Andrew has a background in assisting the digital and bio industries; before joining ANDHealth, he worked as an Executive Director in the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Precincts, and Regions.

Charlotte Summers, DDM’s founding Chief Operating Officer. Charlotte uses her expertise in behaviour change psychology to develop and implement health programs that improve health outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. Charlotte oversees DDM’s massive-scale service rollout to its partners. A leading expert in online digital health and behavioural change psychology. She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed research articles. She has been recognized as a global disruptor, featured on the Sunday Times Business 100 List 2017, and named one of Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35.

George Patapis, Extensive experience in the Government and Health industries. His career has centred on discovering and pursuing strategic and intricate opportunities by Operating his excellent relationship management abilities, teamwork, business insights, and strategic & inventive thinking to bring these prospects to completion and give all stakeholders the desired outcomes.

Dr Adam Glasofer, Experienced physician and healthcare IT executive with extensive experience in large-scale technology projects, evaluating and deploying emerging technologies, and integrating technology into clinical and care delivery workflows. Strong communicator and consensus builder with a track record of success in steering large-scale organisational transformation.

AWS Healthcare Accelerator

Amazon Web Services (AWS) always starts with the needs of their clients and works backwards. Taking notes on the activities that healthcare customers need to perform to be more effective in their professions and find solutions to difficulties Is why choosing the proper start-ups is such a vital part of making those goals a reality.

The AWS Healthcare Accelerator was established in 2021 after the company listened to the requirements expressed by its clients. It started with a focus on the United States and immediately received an incredible response from the general public. Over 430 applications came in from 31 countries, and only 10 slots are available in the program. The issues raised by the clients serve as the compass that directs the programs’ attention. Since its debut, many cohorts have been established, such as one in the United Kingdom that focuses on the National Health Service (NHS), one in the United States that is focused on health equity, and one that is focused on workforce concerns on a worldwide scale. In addition, a cohort of the AWS Health Accelerator Program in Australia and New Zealand will concentrate on aged care.

The AWS healthcare accelerator is, in its most basic form, a technical business mentorship program that lasts for more than four weeks and gives participants access to specialists from all over the world in their respective fields. Providing access to AWS contacts, whether pulling Venture Capitals for the possibility of funding or providing assistance with resources in the marketing sphere. This program offers a culminating degree of education to help start-up companies maximise the potential of their technology platforms.

Introducing DDM Health and its journey with AWS

DDM is a company that provides individuals with precise digital health interventions that assist them in taking charge of their health—adding to the existing healthcare system, which can already offer treatment for those who suffer from obesity or Type II diabetes.

According to Charlotte, one of the exciting aspects of participating in the AWS healthcare accelerator is the opportunity to benefit from Amazon’s extensive knowledge of various solutions and platforms. AWS can engage in a manner that was impossible by combining its efforts within the healthcare system and with multiple stakeholders.

Applying to the program

The advice that Charlotte has for those individuals who are interested in taking part in the program. Be prepared for the full-immersion experiences that will take place in the AWS for the next four weeks. It is essential to have the utmost dedication possible infused within the learning process to obtain the best possible results from the programs. It is also important to manage expectations regarding the long-term impact of the learning beyond the four-week immersion.

Looking ahead with DDM

Because AWS is a global organisation, it presented DDM with great potential to expand its services into international markets. Participated from the United Kingdom cohort and could demonstrate collaboration with organisations in the United States. As a result of the recent market opening for the Australian and New Zealand program, there has been a growing interest in moving through the area and expanding to Australia with the assistance of AWS.

The Australian and New Zealand program

According to the most recent statistics, 23% of Australia’s population will be at least 65 years old by 2060, and 26% of New Zealand’s population will be at that age by 2048. The prevalence of chronic disease and complicated medical disorders will continue to climb, as well as the desire for healthcare that is more affordable, easily accessible, and fairly distributed. Launching AWS Health in the region was done to assist in finding solutions to the problems. To foster innovation that will improve the population’s access to digital health services and care for the elderly.

Currently, the program is concentrating on finding start-ups in digital health and elderly care, looking for solutions that may both simplify and speed up the process of navigating the various services offered in the healthcare industry. Additionally, digital interoperability across the healthcare sector should improve due to the technology’s implementation. It is leveraging data to enhance the quality of care and its delivery to provide more positive clinical results. And last, there is the matter of strengthening the workforce with the assistance of technological advancements that boost the efficiency of delivering healthcare to the general public and the aged.

This co-cohort of Australian and New Zealand start-ups will get technical and business mentorship up to $25,000 AWS credits, cooperation opportunities, healthcare customers with industry leaders, and AWS Partner Network members.

Collaboration with ANDHealth

ANDHealth is a digital health accelerator in Australia that offers founders of digital health start-ups programs to assist them in commercialising their businesses. This particular program focused on aged care and digital health in Australia and New Zealand was made possible through a partnership with AWS, which opened up a significant opportunity for developing innovative technology that could be used to address problems common in the healthcare industry.

The program will not only focus on growing a business through AWS’s expertise but also on making an actual contribution to the problems surrounding the ageing population, which has a global application of its technology.

Rolling-out the program

The program will give hands-on mentoring and coaching to the ten start-ups that have been chosen to participate. AWS will direct the training and knowledge with the help of professionals from the health business. Exposure to AWS expertise as well as to the customers, which will provide them with the opportunity to polish their abilities through interaction with actual paying clients. In addition, Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits of $25,000 will be awarded to each of the ten new businesses just getting off the ground.

Even applications from businesses that have never conducted any work related to health or the ageing process will be accepted and considered. The 11th of December is the final date for the submission of applications. The immersion will begin on the 27th of February and continue through the 23rd of March. Each week will consist of 15 hours of coursework.

AWS Healthcare Accelerator Program for Aged Care and Digital Health

Application Form

Keep updated with AWS and ANDHealth

Several different programs relating to the digital health space are made available consistently through ANDHealth. In most cases, programs are carried out in collaboration with private sector partners and state governments. It is essential to maintain communication regarding the existence of potential programs that could meet your requirements.

A plethora of valuable resources is available for start-up companies who are developing on AWS’s platform. In addition, programs will always be available, and they will be kept up to date to find the most effective ways to serve healthcare customers, whether those clients come from AWS or start-ups.

_{Source talkinghealthtech.com}