Leave reactive ‘sickcare’ behind with a digital health strategy

“There wasn’t a single resource showing all the digital health tools around on the planet. We created that.” 

In a nutshell, that’s what Dr. Koen Kas (CEO at Healthskouts) has set out to do – but his influence on the healthcare sector runs deeper than a single current project. Recognised as a healthcare futurist with influence around the world, Dr. Kas has an inspiring perspective on the future of healthcare, where illness becomes a thing of the past. 

Dedicated to driving a shift from reactive care to proactive healthcare and disease prevention, he’s leveraging the power of data, AI, and emerging digital tools to reshape the landscape of health and illness. 

Dr. Kas is coming to share his vision at LEAP 2025. So we caught up with him to learn why a digital health strategy is key to a better future.  

Could you share the story behind Healthskouts – what motivated you to launch the business?

“As a keynote speaker, I could inspire people, but I also wanted to see the fruits of the inspiration, executed in practice.

“With Healthskouts we offer a ‘Delight Thinking’ Methodology to help organisations and governments create novel services and experiences from a white page. We then point to the relevant parties across the world, who can offer the technology to turn those novel ideas into reality.

“Also, there wasn’t a single resource showing all the digital health tools around on the planet. We created that. Since then I get to know new emerging players each week, which show themselves to us for feedback on their offering.”

What's your definition of a 'digital health strategy'?

“An approach which complements, facilitates or enhances human interaction. 

“A digital strategy  – digital and data capabilities empowered by AI – should have the ability to unlock moments of customer and patient delight. 

“In essence, it starts with having a deep understanding of friction patients and caregivers experience in the care process. Secondly, how to involve patients and caregivers in the co-development and utilisation of existing with new digital-enabled data points.”

Have digital health tools advanced significantly in recent years, particularly during/since the COVID-19 pandemic?

“Yes, they have generated the trust of care providers. Telemedicine has become a commodity. Digital tools empower men to be more human! To be more empathic even. 

“During the pandemic I gave my father a loudspeaker which reminded him to take medication – but using my voice – using a generative AI tool.

“People also now better understand the power of health data. This permits us to have new discussions on how to deal with privacy and ethics. That’s why I’m involved in the launch of a citizen-centric health data platform, using a novel version of the internet. I will talk about that at LEAP.

“Finally, the concept of prediction, simulation and modelling – things we did during Covid – we now see in the increasing implementation of Healthcare Digital Twins.” 

What are three components that must be included in a successful digital health strategy?

“Show me what happens before your tool or service, and next to your tool of service. So show me the continuum of your strategy.

“How are data shuffled into the medical record – hence the doctor is willing to use the data

“Show me how both the customer and the end-user benefits from the new strategy. What is in for both? How do you avoid resistance to change in healthcare – as it takes on average seven years before something novel really gets adopted.” 

And what are three major barriers to the successful rollout of a digital health strategy?

“Lack of awareness. Human resistance to change. The creation of yet another data silo.” 

Finally, what are you looking forward to at LEAP 2025?

“Cross sector inspiration, tools to deal with change, and digital strategies to nudge behaviour.” 

Thanks to Koen Kas at Healthskouts. Pre-register now to attend LEAP 2025 and learn directly from the leaders in healthcare technology and digital transformation.