About
The Penn Center for Digital Cardiology (PCDC) is a collaboration amongst clinicians, researchers, health administrators, and IT team members in improving cardiovascular care delivery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. The Center enables the integration of mobile apps, health devices, and digital platforms into clinical processes with the intent to increase access, improve clinical outcomes, and optimize the care experience for patients and clinicians. The aim is to identify the best, digital tools for the right setting in the right patient at the right time and disseminate best practices in the emerging, space of digital health.
Our Approach
- To develop a cohesive strategy that maximally leverages Penn Medicine's environment and ongoing initiatives in the Division of Cardiology
- To continuously incubate and pilot new initiatives at the forefront of Digital and Connected Cardiology
- To scale initiatives that bring clear value to cardiovascular patients, providers, and researchers
PCDC programs explore opportunities to impact clinical care from a broad range of Digital Health elements.
- Connected Health - Real time, personal and automated communications between a patient and healthcare provider, including wearables and remote-patient data monitoring (RPM)
- Telemedicine - Health advice via telecommunications, such as video chats and mobile applications
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Machines and 'robots' can exhibit logic or make decisions in line with that of a human-being
- mHealth - Mobile devices in healthcare technology
- Big Data - Large, scale integration of data to provide a holistic view of a patient and the potential social and environmental influences on an individual's health
- Informatics - Electronic health records, decision support and monitoring of clinical and institutional practices
The purpose of the Penn Center for Digital Cardiology is to reduce obstacles and improve patient care. The core principles in building programs and assessing success include:
'Techequity'
Ethical and equitable use of technology to address health disparities
Accessibility
Matching patients with the appropriate care (virtual versus in-person, digital tools, and staff)
Patient-Centered Design
Streamline alerts and communications with patients
Wellness
Workflows that reduce data burden and free up clinicians' time
Behavioral Insights
Incorporating behavioral principles into interventions to make the right choice easier for patients and clinicians
Sustainability and Scalability
Utility to implement financially, viable programs in other University of Pennsylvania Health System sites and non-cardiology practices