While it wasn’t clear what Healthcare IT Conferences would look like in 2021, it’s fair to say that conferences can be held again. Not that there isn’t still some risk, but there’s risk staying home too. Plus, HLTH did it about as well as you could imagine with vaccine requirements, a negative COVID test, and masks. Not to mention, the event basically takes over the Boston Convention Center so there’s little mingling with those outside of the conference.
Now that we got COVID out of the way, let’s talk about the experience at the event and some of the insights I heard at the various sessions.
Video welcome at #hlth2021 The sponsor changes, but Modern Health was a fun one for this video. pic.twitter.com/lomcBh36Qa
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 17, 2021
This likely wouldn’t have been noticed nearly as much, but this is the screen that everyone who got tested had above them for the 20-30 minutes they waited for their test results. Plus, this gives the numbers of 6000+ attendees. Of course, that counts virtual. Not sure how many are onsite, but every session I’ve been to has been full.
The calm before the storm. #hlth2021 pic.twitter.com/Jqtfbq059E
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 17, 2021
This turns out to be only about half of the show floor. The other half had more vendors. There was definitely room for more vendors, but for social distancing this was probably good.
I don’t think they’d have listened to me the same way if I didn’t have a 20 year relationship with them. @mrsbrull
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 17, 2021
This was an amazing insight on the value of a relationship with a primary care doctor and the trust that has been created. This was talking about vaccinations in rural areas which was a challenge, but she could better deal with the challenge before of her relationship. Trust has definitely been an important buzzword at this conference. If you don’t know Dr. Brull, check out this article I wrote about her back in 2013. What a pioneer!
The thing that stands out to me is your patience with your patients. #hlth2021 @Farzad_MD
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 17, 2021
This response by Farzad was about Dr. Brull’s patience with her patients. It definitely stands out.
Our front desk gets the TMZ version of the story. #hlth2021
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 17, 2021
I think Farzad later compared the version the doctor gets to the BBC. It’s worth acknowledging how often TMZ gets it right. The same is true for the knowledge the front desk can get from patients.
I think he underestimates how quickly trust can be built. And how much trust he really has. #HLTH2021
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 18, 2021
I wasn’t in this session, but I found CVS’s comments interesting as far as what value they can bring to healthcare. They’re not wrong about locations. Although, a number of people at HLTH were talking about whether locations matter or will matter in the future.
Loving the grilled cheese and tots from @ribbonhealthAPI #HLTH2021 Cool API of healthily information. Doctors, practices, phone numbers, outcomes quality, etc. #hitsm pic.twitter.com/jFPd3PUDI9
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 18, 2021
Lunch was pretty great at HLTH since they had a number of food trucks available along with the buffet. Ribbon Health was sponsoring this food truck and the grilled cheese and tots were great. The API Ribbon Health offers is quite interesting. If you wanted to create your own physician rating site for example, you could use Ribbon Health to basically get all the data you need. That’s fascinating to consider.
A great leader follows well. @Jonathan_Bush #HLTH2021
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 18, 2021
Jonathan Bush is a sound bite machine and his sessions with Glen Tullman was quite entertaining. Stories for days. Go watch the recording for the full experience. Although, this insight was great. Servant leadership is a great idea and in this case he talked about how as a leader he had to listen to his people and follow. Powerful idea.
I don’t want heart surgery at home right now. I’d rather go to the hospital. @GlenTullman #HLTH2021
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 18, 2021
This comment was met by laughs from Glen Tullman. The push and pull at HLTH between the current healthcare world and its future and where it might head has been fascinating. In this case, Tullman makes the argument that the current healthcare system’s death is not reality. However, disruption is happening.
Jonathan Bush: Our problem is not that we need technology in healthcare. We need a business model that works. #HLTH2021 pic.twitter.com/lxCCavyPXc
— Craig Joseph, MD (@CraigJoseph) October 18, 2021
This may be the theme for the conference. Business models and new business models is probably the most talked about thing at HLTH.
Things you didn’t expect at #HLTH2021 but happened. See saw with @HITeaWithGrace from @AmendolaComm So impressive she did it side saddle too. pic.twitter.com/epjbS4iZpo
— John Lynn (@techguy) October 17, 2021
Don’t ask me why they have a see saw (teeter totter if you prefer) at HLTH, but those that know me know I had to try it. Thanks to Grace Vinton from Amendola Communications for being game to ride it. Major props to her for doing it safely side saddle in a dress. A few people on Twitter aptly pointed out that this was a good analogy for the ups and downs of healthcare the past year.
A number of doctors commented how different HLTH was as compared to medical conferences. It was definitely more of a tech conference with games and DJs and other performances. Plus, I heard one surgeon was asking “Where’s the poster sessions? Where’s the data?” He’s still looking, but he probably got distracted by the food trucks, barber shop, and massive chess set in his search.