Become Boring Digital Health

Innovators should strive to become boring digital health solutions. While listening to Jason Feifer‘s Podcast Problem Solvers (How Can AI Help You Now?), he said something that stood out to me.

“The most interesting stuff is happening in boring places.”

Jason Feifer – How Can AI Help You Now

I cannot agree more; the most interesting innovations to me are solving so-called boring problems. However, these boring problems end up being some of the most important. Think health equity, engagement, treatment adherence, medication adherence, etc.

Too frequently, digital health innovators will target an exciting space that is today’s ‘buzz word’ condition or problem. Some become incredibly successful, but so many fail. 

The grandiose idea that my solution can solve healthcare is great but always is lacking. The companies miss the mark. They focus on what they think is needed and miss asking critical questions to learn what is needed. These companies end up focusing more on flash than substance.

Don’t become worthless

The latest and greatest widget or gadget is worthless if there is no perceived value by the patient and provider. It does not matter how strong your predictive capabilities are if you cannot get data from the consumer. 

The foundation of digital health strategy needs to be surrounded by engagement, adherence, experience, and utility. In a sense, the more time you focus on these so-called boring areas of digital health, you will end up developing a program that can be successful no matter which population you target.

I want to challenge your thought process right here and ask, what is necessary to succeed in digital health?

Become an interesting solution by solving a more boring need. To me, the niche is better; become exceptionally well versed in one area before expanding to another. 

Get to the root of the problem for your consumer and solve that albeit ‘boring’ need. It then becomes easier to be a flashy solution for all.