Empowering Equity in the Design and Implementation of Digital Healthcare Technologies

Presentation Time: 01:45 PM - 03:15 PM

Abstract Keywords: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Health Equity, Health Equity, Change Management, Fairness and Elimination of Bias, Teaching Innovation, Education and Training, Patient Engagement and Preferences, Usability
Primary Track: Applications
Programmatic Theme: Clinical Informatics
Moderator: Kevin Chaney, MGS
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Two decades ago, the Institute of Medicine released two influential reports. One report focused on the potential of healthcare technologies to enhance quality and safety, while the other highlighted health disparities. Despite advancements in care access, quality, and outcomes resulting from technological progress, healthcare disparities continue to persist. The rapid evolution of digital technologies, including those driven by artificial intelligence, presents a paradox. On one hand, these advancements have the potential to improve outcomes and reduce disparities. On the other hand, they can perpetuate or worse, exacerbate existing disparities. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) collaborated with experts to develop resources to empower developers and users to prioritize health equity outcomes throughout the digital healthcare lifecycle. This panel discussion will explore the Digital Healthcare Equity Framework and Implementation Guide, with organizational examples so that future advancements in digital healthcare technologies avoid exacerbating disparities.

Speaker(s):
Ethan Booker, MD, FACEP
MedStar Health

Ivor Horn, MD, MPH
Google

Elham Hatef
Johns Hopkins University

Theresa Cullen, MD
Pima County

Author(s):
Kevin Chaney, MGS - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Elham Hatef - Johns Hopkins University;