Earlier this week I participated in a spirited webinar on the topic of “real world outcomes”.  I prepared notes going into the discussion (see previous post) and the conversation touched on many of these points.

I promised to share interesting perspectives that arose over the course of the conversation and Q&A.  I’d summarize the major themes as follows:

• There are challenges to achieving the value of “third horizon” data (integrated sets of diverse medical and non-medical data): (1) Linking data sets across institutions, (2) scaling data and analytics infrastructure across organizations, (3) patient, payer, regulator trust in real world data and analytics methods
• Recent trends provide reasons to be encouraged about achieving value of “third horizon” data: (1) Analytics techniques are being refined, (2) Convergence tests give confidence in real world data, (3) Policy proposals encourage open transfer.
• Generating real world outcomes insights is just part of the equation.  The other side of the equation is what does one do with the insights to encourage physicians, patients to take action and modify behavior.

As a strategist and supporter of entrepreneurs in healthcare, it is discussions like these that help illuminate the gaps in current practice, technology, policy and the potential for solutions of tomorrow.