If we want better innovations in health tech, we need more competition

We need creative thinking in the healthcare industry, even if it comes from the digital giants. In her efforts to use Google's influence as a tech platform for the advancement of public health, Karen DeSalvo, chief health officer at Google, has often referred to correct information access as "a determinant of health." Since the pandemic exposed the risks of widespread misinformation and we are aware that having access to the internet on a regular basis has an impact on health outcomes, there is abundant data to support the premise that information is a health determinant. But in order to achieve what DeSalvo referred to as "a doctor in your pocket," which entails easy access to our electronic health records (EHR), real-time chat, or personalised care plans, incumbents in healthcare technology must experience a sense of competition-driven fear sparked by novel technologies that drive significant change.