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What is digital medicine?

What is digital medicine?

Dr. Simon Israeli-Koren

My name is Dr. Simon Israeli-Corn, I am a neurologist with 10 years of experience in the treatment and research of Parkinson's disease. I began my professional career studying medicine at the University of Cambridge, England, internal medicine in London (with the MRCP UK degree). Upon arriving in Israel, I specialized in neurology at the Medical Center For Sheba in Tel Hashomer and later studies for a PhD in neuroscience at the Weizmann Institute.

I recently finished my work as a neurologist at Sheba. This follows my ambition to also engage in research and development of drugs, treatments and new technologies for Parkinson's disease and I am currently employed as a senior medical and scientific director by the Neuroderm company and as a neurologist at Maccabi Health Services. The incentive for my work is the desire to help people, as well as scientific curiosity. The human body is fascinating and the brain is the most important and mysterious organ. On the one hand, Parkinson's is one of the most serious diseases, but on the other hand, it also has a huge potential to respond to treatment - medicinal and non-medicinal.

Following the technological revolution and even before the corona epidemic, our world is undergoing fundamental digital changes. As a result of the corona epidemic, additional digital means were implemented (such as Zoom), and our lives became very digital. This trend also exists in the world of medicine. The current reality invites many new challenges for society in general and the community of people with Parkinson's disease, in particular.

One example is, for example, the Hagar patient in Moshav who wanted to do more physical activity and physical therapy treatments. But the distance from his place of residence to the place of treatment did not allow him to realize his wish. It was precisely during the quarantine period that he was able to find classes, lessons and treatments in the online digital system and he started to do more and also felt an improvement in his condition.

Another example that illustrates the magnitude of the need is the opening of the Parkinson's community on the social network. Together with Naa Ben Shetrit from Physiogrup and fitness trainer Neta Lohnhoff, I opened a Parkinson's community on the social network to give support to those diagnosed with Parkinson's and their families. During this challenging period, about 600 people registered within a few weeks, and we received positive feedback from them about our response to their need.

Digital medicine has a huge potential to provide solutions to many problems in the health systems in the world - there is no interoperability between medicine in the community and medicine in a hospital, and the communication between the disciplines and the medical professions and the health professions is not good enough and there is room for much improvement. This causes duplication of work, confusion in the treatment plan, delays in important decisions and the feeling of the patients that they are "falling through the cracks". Innovation in the field of digital medicine enables the return of the patient and his family members to the center of focus of the healthcare system, thereby allowing the patient to manage his illness in his own comfortable environment.

We have seen that the 'barriers' to the use of digital means are decreasing. Everyone is familiar with the "Zomification" phenomenon of society, from first graders to Parkinson's patients, including teachers and doctors who have moved to online platforms out of choice. The change was perhaps too fast and for many it was not so successful, but the reality imposed on society proved that there is a greater possibility for online use and that it is possible to use virtual means much more than previously thought. Finally people agree to it and succeed. As a doctor I can say that there is something more intimate in a virtual clinical contact that is closer to a home visit. You see the patient in his environment, more relaxed, when he didn't have to drive through traffic, find parking and wait in the waiting room. But there are many other areas of digital medicine, beyond telemedicine, from big data to artificial intelligence / machine learning (Machine learning / Artificial intelligence), digital therapy (digital therapeutics) and more.

In Israel, we have the great privilege of being one of the most active places in the world in the field of innovation. We've all heard of the startup nation. As Israelis we are always looking to fix problems and improve our lives. Med-tech and braintech are becoming a very important field in the world in general and in Israel in particular.

I am interested in having a discussion on this blog and getting to know the people and companies that are at the forefront of science and technology, in the field of digital medicine for brain diseases and especially Parkinson's from Israel and the world.

In the next blog, I will do a brief overview of the field and then I will start to go deeper in order to introduce you to the main players. With this discourse I am sure that both parties, the patients and the companies will benefit and benefit a lot.

Sincerely,

Simon

 

The author of this blog is an employee of Neuroderm Ltd. This blog and the contents presented in it are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, a recommendation or a substitute for any treatment or a recommendation for any product or preparation. If the reader or any other party has a medical problem, he contact a doctor in order to receive treatment or medical advice. Do not ignore professional medical advice and do not delay or postpone seeking medical treatment due to the information presented in this blog. If you believe that you are in a medical emergency you must immediately contact the treating doctor or the local emergency center in order to receive treatment or Medical advice.

The author of this blog will not respond or answer questions regarding the trials and/or the clinical products of Neuroderm Ltd.

Under no circumstances will Dr. Israeli-Koren, Neuroderm Ltd. and/or anyone on their behalf be held responsible for any damage caused, directly or indirectly, as a result of using this blog.

The author of this blog is an employee of NeuroDerm Ltd. This article is provided as a courtesy only, and is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information contained in this article a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog [or in any linked materials]. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or local emergency number immediately.

The author will not respond to queries regarding NeuroDerm's clinical trials or products.

Under no circumstances shall Dr. Israeli-Korn, NeuroDerm Ltd, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of NeuroDerm Ltd be responsible for damages arising from use of the blog.