This blog post was authored by Shalom Jacobovitz, chief executive officer of the ACC.

Technology has completely transformed the way people live their lives – from how they consume information to how they communicate with each other. Now, more than ever, marrying technology with medicine has the potential to reshape how we engage with patients.

It has been reported that the average person checks his or her phone more than 150 times per day which equates to about two hours of mobile screen time per day. And it’s not just patients that are using mobile technology, an estimated 90 percent of health care providers use smartphones and almost as many use tablets. Furthermore, 70-75 percent of people seek health care information online. Figuring out a way to provide patients with credible health information that can be accessed on the go is the future of our industry.

These are just some of the eye-opening statistics that Henry A. Solomon, MD, FACC, ACC’s chief medical officer, shared during the ACC Professional and Corporate Consortium which took place last week at ACC’s Heart House. For the second year in a row, the College brought together stakeholders from across the health care spectrum for an interactive discussion, this time on digital health and patient engagement. During the day-long meeting, experts provided a glimpse into the current U.S. digital health care landscape and delved into the opportunities and hurdles that lie ahead.

John Nosta, founder of NOSTALAB, kicked off the meeting by sharing some of the innovative health care technologies that are garnering buzz. Explosive new technology is just one factor shaping digital health, according to Nosta. Other factors propelling digital health include a pressing need to “fix” health care, the caldron of connectivity, the power of “cool,” the empowerment of your quantified self, industry’s search for new meaning, big data and the electronic medical record, and money.

In addition to mobile technology, social media is another key driver of the technological revolution. Emily Trayers, chief operating officer of SayItSocial, discussed the importance of organizations leveraging social media, which she described as the “new patient communication paradigm.” She pointed out that while nearly 90 percent of young adults (18-24) said they would trust medical information shared by others in their social media networks, only about one fourth of hospitals have active social media strategies. This gap in demand and supply of information lends an opportunity for health care organizations and companies to step up and fill the void. I’m proud to say that the ACC is very active on social media — with channels tailored to members and patients. Through these channels, the College is able to disseminate the latest cardiovascular science and resources and engage with providers and patients around the world.

The key takeaway from the meeting is that patients must be at the center of the digital health revolution. Moving forward, what tools can we provide patients that will empower them to take charge of their health? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

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