Personalizing Health with Data & Technology

In the 10th episode of MCPHS Bicentennial Podcast, The Secret to Living to 200, Dr. Michael Spooner discusses how data and technology could make aspects of healthcare once thought impossible, possible.

When Michael Spooner, EdD, graduated high school, he entered the workforce, unsure if college was a good fit for him. Fast forward to today when, as Dean of the School of Healthcare Business and Technology at MCPHS, Dr. Spooner is leading the effort at MCPHS to meet the fast-growing need for data and health technology experts in healthcare and the life sciences.

The use of new technology and the collection of data has changed these industries, helping providers and scientists make more informed, more personalized decisions. However, there is still plenty of untapped potential and room for innovation in the field. For Dr. Spooner, it’s about preparing MCPHS graduates to take ideas once thought impossible and make them possible.

In this episode, Dr. Spooner explains how data and technology can improve healthcare for both patients and providers, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, genetic analysis, and more.

Listen to Episode 10 and every episode of The Secret to Living to 200 here or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Three Things to Know About Health Technology:

1. It’s one of the hottest areas of employment in healthcare.

Hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech organizations need specially trained data scientists who can gather, analyze, protect, and use information. Dr. Spooner describes the new programs at MCPHS as ones that teach not just technological skills but also analytical competencies to drive decisions that will improve patient care.

2. Human interaction will remain a critical part of care.

No matter what the future of healthcare holds, Dr. Spooner discusses how the patient-provider relationship will remain important. While data will help patients narrow down care options, he believes they will still rely on their provider to discuss the choices and support their decisions. It’s a model Dr. Spooner thinks will be around for quite some time.

3. Health data security is a learning process.

Health data must be protected, especially as it becomes more personalized. Dr. Spooner explains how data security is often reactive, learning from incidents or breaches. He is, however, encouraged by the progress made in this area, from data encrypting to privacy screens on computers in the office. Dr. Spooner also urges patients to take ownership of their data by carefully reading all forms from their provider or simply asking about data security practices.