Patrick Wheelock, Strategy and Business Development - Mobile Health, Verizon Enterprise Solutions shares his insights at the Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers. Patrick spoke on the "Incentivizing Behavioral Changes: The Impact of Apps and Big Data" panel at the 2014 event.

What is the most important next step for healthcare providers to engage consumers in digital health solutions?
The most important challenge from the provider side is to address fragmented systems and drive better integration for richer, more reliable data. New standards need to be adopted for interoperability. I think it’s important that we see new platforms come into play that can support a multitude of devices and peripherals for care.

What will be the biggest impact for consumers as a result of digital health solutions?
The consumer has more control over their health, more flexibility in how they approach their health and more access to health data. Digital health empowers the patient while connecting them more closely to the healthcare system. Health systems such as Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic are setting up affiliates to explore how digital health can expand their relationships with patients beyond the four walls of the hospital. More and more, consumers are benefitting from new opportunities to actively participate in their own care while receiving convenient support from caregivers.

What will be the biggest driver for digital health market?
Consumer demand. More people are accessing health apps and websites to monitor and diagnose their health. They are actively shopping for healthcare. Consumers will continue to push advancements in digital health. We already know that digital approaches create more efficient and convenient delivery of care. What we’re seeing now is that consumers are more than ready to embrace virtual care, and soon may even be demanding it as part of their ongoing healthcare experience.