CVS Says It Plans To Get Into Primary Care By The End Of The Year – The Medical Futurist Newsletter

Primary care might become more accessible with retail companies eyeing the sector Scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute completed the full connectivity map of the human immune system, and DeepMind finished its predictions of the structure of nearly every protein known to science. In a slightly more hands-on fashion, we wrote about [the future of dermatology]( and the trends that can help medical students or professionals choose[the most fitting speciality](. I hope you will find the newsletter useful! Best regards, Berci Bertalan Meskó, MD The Medical Futurist [VIRTUAL REALITY TRANSPORTS HOSPICE PATIENTS TO OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD]( --------------------------------------------------------------- "St Giles Hospice, which has bases in Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield, said the headsets allowed patients 'to escape the realities of their present situation'. The VR experiences include cities of the world, space, and wildlife. Beth Robinson, Occupational Therapist at St Giles Hospice, said the VR headsets helped patients "immerse themselves into a calming space". [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? While I've seen such examples before (using virtual reality to make residents of elderly patient and hospice homes feel better), it's good to see that the technological opportunity is spreading. [PATIENTS DID DIY BLOOD DRAWS IN A NEW VACCINE STUDY]( With the help of a device called TAP II, participants of a clinical study could collect blood at home! "People warm up their skin and then stick on a small plastic device with a plunger on the top and a collection tube sticking out the bottom. They press down on the plunger and blood starts to fill the tube." [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? For years, I've been talking about the importance of implementing new technologies allowing patients to obtain data (samples, etc.) only their physicians could obtain about them so far. [THE MEDICAL FUTURIST BOOK BUNDLE]( --------------------------------------------------------------- If you want to get a comprehensive overview of the digital health sector and the future of healthcare, this bundle is for you: we collected 6 of our most popular ebooks. The bundle covers all futuristic aspects of the healthcare ecosystem, from the most exciting technologies to segments worth keeping an eye on if you are looking for investment opportunities, the role tech giants will play in the future of healthcare services, the privacy issues, and of course all there is to know about artificial intelligence in medicine. [GET IT HERE]( [CVS SAYS IT PLANS TO GET INTO PRIMARY CARE BY YEAR-END]( --------------------------------------------------------------- "CVS, best known for its many drugstores, has touchpoints across the health-care industry. It has acquired insurer Aetna and pharmacy benefits manager Caremark. Customers can get vaccines or urgent care at MinuteClinic outposts inside of its stores. Now CVS said that it plans to acquire or take a stake in a primary-care company by the end of the year." [READ MORE]( WHY IT'S IMPORTANT? A year ago, I discussed a few announcements here and mentioned how weird it is that certain companies from retail and big tech want to not just enter the healthcare business, but provide primary care! It's like Pfizer wanting to service cars. What? [EARBUD CHIRPS MAY ONE DAY DETECT INFECTIONS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- "The “EarHealth” system pairs Bluetooth earbuds with a smartphone that’s equipped with a deep learning platform. It records how the chirp reverberates throughout the ear canals, creating a profile of each user’s unique inner ear geometry. Each condition has a unique audio signature that the deep learning system can detect with fairly accurate results." [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? My favourite announcements in digital health are about devices people already use/own getting new, health-related features. Using our earbuds to detect infections would be of amazing value. [AMAZING TECHNOLOGIES CHANGING THE FUTURE OF DERMATOLOGY]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Smart algorithms will soon diagnose skin cancer, dermatologists consult patients online, and 3D printers will print out synthetic skin to fight tissue shortages. Let’s start by familiarising ourselves with the most amazing technologies changing the future of dermatology! [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? There is a lot going on in dermatology, and medical professionals should prepare in time for the technological changes before they start swiping through the specialty. [THIS STARTUP WANTS TO COPY YOU INTO AN EMBRYO FOR ORGAN HARVESTING]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Jacob Hanna, a biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot showed that starting with mouse stem cells, his lab could form highly realistic-looking mouse embryos and keep them growing in a mechanical womb for several days until they developed beating hearts, flowing blood, and cranial folds. Let's digest that! This startup wants to copy you into an embryo for organ harvesting. [READ MORE]( WHY DO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT? A prime example of how we shouldn't do everything just because we can. The moral/ethical implications are scary, as is the prospect of creating and destroying lives to save others. MORE NEWS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE --------------------------------------------------------------- CONNECTIVITY MAP – [First map of immune system connections reveals new therapeutic opportunities]( CHOOSING WELL – [Future Trends Help You Choose The Most Fitting Medical Specialty]( PRESURGICAL PLANNING – [Conjoined twins separated with the help of virtual reality]( LOCATION ZERO – [Team confirms COVID pandemic started in Wuhan market]( [color-forwardtofriend-48.png](mailto:berci@medicalfuturist.com) [color-facebook-48.png]( [color-youtube-48.png]( [color-linkedin-48.png]( [color-twitter-48.png]( [color-instagram-48.png]( © The Medical Futurist 2022 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Medical Futurist · Budapest · Budapest, Pest 1118 · Hungary