In healthcare, consultants are present more often than we might realise:  they work with healthcare providers to improve clinical efficiency, manage costs, implement new technologies, or streamline administrative processes. They can help with regulatory compliance, help insurance companies design new poducts, governments hire them to help with policy development, program evaluation, and implementation of new regulations.

In this episode we take a look under the hood of consultancy work, where governments make biggest mistakes and how consultants approach problem-solving.

Mehdi Khaled is Internal Medicine Doctor and Fortune 50 Health Tech Executive, with over 25 years of international experience. He has helped shaping many large-scale, transformative digital health projects across four continents and within 40 health systems. As a Managing Partner at Seha, he specializes in developing and executing cutting-edge health and digital health strategies, with a strong emphasis on the meaningful use of data to drive health system improvements.

AI generated summary:

00:00 - Introduction

• The episode opens with an introduction to Mehdi, a healthcare consultant, and the key topics to be discussed, including the role of consultants in healthcare and the challenges they face.

00:02 - The Role of Consultants in Healthcare

• Mehdi discusses the dual nature of consulting in healthcare, where consultants are both respected for their expertise and sometimes criticized for lack of accountability.

• Reference to a Bain study showing that only a small percentage of large transformation projects succeed.

00:04 - Challenges of Accountability

• A deep dive into the issue of accountability within healthcare consulting.

• Discussion of the complexities involved in holding stakeholders like providers, pharmaceutical companies, and insurers accountable for healthcare outcomes.

00:06 - Core Principles for Healthcare

• Mehdi outlines the fundamental principles that should guide healthcare systems: accessibility, cost-effectiveness, outcomes, and prevention.

• Emphasis on prevention as a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of healthcare.

00:08 - Singapore’s Healthcare Success

• Case study of Singapore's "War on Diabetes" campaign, which significantly improved the nation’s health metrics.

• Comparison between Singapore and Austria in terms of life expectancy and healthy life years, highlighting the importance of preventive care.

00:10 - Implementing Technology in Healthcare

• Discussion on the challenges of introducing new technologies in healthcare, focusing on the importance of involving end users in the decision-making process.

• Example of Germany’s DIGA system and the resistance it faced from the medical community.

00:12 - The Balance Between Technology and Clinical Needs

• Mehdi talks about the balance needed between technology-driven projects and those led by clinical needs.

• The conversation touches on the potential of AI in healthcare, emphasizing the need for a long-term perspective when implementing new technologies.

00:14 - The Importance of Clinical Engagement

• The discussion shifts to the critical role of engaging clinicians in digital health projects.

• Mehdi explains how successful healthcare technology adoption hinges on the involvement of medical professionals in the design and implementation processes.

00:16 - Managing Technology in Healthcare

• Exploration of the concept of "management debt," where poor decision-making leads to the accumulation of ineffective technologies.

• Challenges in integrating new technologies into existing healthcare frameworks without disrupting patient care.

00:18 - Cultural Differences in Healthcare

• The role of cultural intelligence in healthcare consulting is discussed, particularly how different countries' decision-making processes can impact the success of consultancy projects.

• Mehdi shares insights on the differences between the fast-paced decision-making in the US and the more deliberate approach in Europe, particularly in Germany.

00:20 - Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Digital Health

• Mehdi highlights the gap in understanding between healthcare professionals and technologists, which often hampers the adoption of digital health solutions.

• Discussion on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in overcoming these challenges.

00:22 - Case Studies and Real-World Examples

• Additional real-world examples are provided, illustrating how different healthcare systems are addressing the challenges of digital transformation.

• Emphasis on the importance of learning from successful case studies, such as those from Singapore and Catalonia.

00:24 - The Need for Long-Term Vision

• The conversation returns to the need for a long-term vision in healthcare, particularly in the context of adopting new technologies.

• Mehdi discusses the importance of forward-thinking strategies that prioritize patient outcomes over short-term gains.

00:26 - Lessons from Singapore and Catalonia

• More insights from Singapore's healthcare system, focusing on how the country has successfully integrated preventive care into its healthcare model.

• Catalonia’s approach to telemedicine is also highlighted as a forward-thinking model for other regions to follow.

00:28 - Technology-Driven Change in Healthcare

• The challenges and opportunities of technology-driven change in healthcare are explored.

• Mehdi emphasizes the need for a careful, measured approach to integrating new technologies, ensuring that they address real clinical needs.

00:30 - Overcoming Barriers to Innovation

• Discussion on the barriers to innovation in healthcare, including regulatory challenges and resistance from traditional stakeholders.

• Mehdi suggests strategies for overcoming these barriers, such as fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

00:32 - The Future of Digital Health

• Speculation on the future of digital health and the role consultants will play in shaping it.

• The importance of staying ahead of technological trends and understanding their long-term implications for healthcare.

00:34 - Building Local Capacity

• Mehdi discusses the importance of building local capacity in healthcare, particularly in developing countries.

• He highlights the need for consultants to transfer knowledge to local professionals, ensuring sustainable development.

00:36 - Avoiding Dependency on Consultants

• A critical look at the potential downsides of relying too heavily on external consultants.

• Mehdi advocates for a model where consultants empower their clients to become self-sufficient, rather than creating dependency.

00:38 - Final Thoughts on Healthcare Consulting

• The episode concludes with Mehdi’s reflections on the state of healthcare consulting and the future challenges and opportunities in the field.

• Final emphasis on the need for consultants to remain adaptable and focused on delivering long-term value to their clients.

00:40 - Conclusion

• Closing remarks and summary of the key points discussed in the episode.

• Encouragement for listeners to think critically about the role of consultants in healthcare and the importance of accountability and long-term planning.