Innovation

Wave Health originated for patients first, tackling UNSDG #3. It was created based on a personal cancer experience where our patient #1 struggled to understand and navigate the waves of treatment. His treatment came to a head and would have ended in the hospital had his full contextual experience data not been gathered, made visible, and shared with his doctor. Fast forward and that patient experience is the core of Wave Health’s philosophy and unparalleled experience - to activate patients to be a new kind of partner with their care teams. It is why Wave Health is paving the way for patient-centered collaboration that is user friendly & impactful for both patients and care providers.

Wave Health was ranked the #1 mHealth app in oncology and has since expanded to all chronic diseases, with a corresponding professional care portal. Wave Health’s exceptional user engagement is the reason why, without any marketing, patients have found and actively used Wave Health outside of clinical partnership.

Inspiration

Reflecting on this pivotal moment, the leader shared, "Our mission originated from a deeply personal cancer experience, where Patient #1 encountered immense difficulties navigating the complexities of treatment. It was a turning point when we realized the critical need for patients to be active partners in their healthcare journey."

The founder emphasized, "We witnessed firsthand the transformative power of harnessing patients' contextual experiences, which often occur outside the clinical setting. This recognition propelled us to create a patient activation tool that empowers individuals to navigate their treatment journeys."

This singular patient's struggle inspired Wave Health's unwavering commitment to patient-centered collaboration. The leader reiterated, "Our aim is to activate patients as new partners within their care teams, revolutionizing healthcare collaboration. It's about empowering patients with the tools and capabilities to navigate their unique treatment paths."

Driven by this transformative encounter, Wave Health's ethos centers on amplifying patient voices. "Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that patients are the true experts in their own lived experiences. We strive to create a space where these experiences are not only valued but serve as the driving force behind innovative healthcare solutions," the founder affirmed.

The exceptional user engagement of Wave Health, organically found by patients outside clinical partnerships, underscores the resonance of the patient-centric approach. This unparalleled commitment to amplifying patient voices and experiences continues to propel Wave Health's innovation, paving the way for a transformative paradigm in healthcare.

Overall impact

Wave Health’s genesis stemmed from a deeply personal experience, where a patient's struggles navigating cancer treatment prompted the innovation's inception. This poignant encounter served as the cornerstone of Wave Health's philosophy, driving a revolutionary patient-centered approach. Its immediate impact was evident in the app's empowerment of patients, fostering heightened engagement and literacy regarding their health. Patient testimonials hailed the app's user-friendly nature and its pivotal role in chronic illness management.

Long-term effects were seen in the paradigm shift Wave Health induced in healthcare dynamics. By integrating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into healthcare data, the innovation propelled a holistic care approach. The incorporation of missing ePRO data with clinical, genomic, and claims data amplified patient outcomes and clinical efficiencies, notably reducing unexpected hospitalizations and emergency visits. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's acknowledgment of Wave Health as the top mHealth app during the COVID-19 surge testified to its transformational impact on patient care and engagement.

Moreover, Wave Health's expansion to encompass all chronic diseases, coupled with its multilingual development and patient-centric functionalities, reflected a sustained commitment to revolutionize patient-centric care. This enduring evolution positioned Wave Health as a trailblazer, catalyzing enduring changes in healthcare practices and elevating patient experiences.

Business benefit

Because the business focused on pioneering patient-centric care through Wave Health, a cascade of positive impacts emerged across various facets. Primarily, the innovation's success fostered substantial revenue growth. With its #1 ranking in oncology and subsequent expansion into chronic diseases, Wave Health became a market leader in healthcare tech solutions, attracting substantial investments and partnerships. This market prominence not only amplified revenue streams but also led to the creation of new products and services within the platform, widening its offerings and strengthening its position as an industry frontrunner.

Additionally, the innovation significantly impacted employee morale and retention rates. The company's dedication to fostering a culture centered around improving patient outcomes and providing cutting-edge solutions garnered widespread recognition, attracting top talent and nurturing a workforce deeply committed to the innovation's mission. This, in turn, bolstered employee well-being and job satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and longevity within the organization.

Furthermore, Wave Health's success enabled the business to penetrate new markets. Its multilingual interface and expansion to diverse demographics facilitated entry into previously untapped regions, fostering a global presence and paving the way for healthcare equality and accessibility worldwide. This market diversification not only expanded the company's footprint but also opened doors to new investment opportunities, attracting interest from various stakeholders eager to support the innovation's continued growth and impact on healthcare transformation.

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Social and environmental benefit

The innovation, Wave Health, yields substantial societal benefits by fundamentally transforming healthcare accessibility and quality. Its patient-centric approach empowers individuals, especially underserved populations, granting them access to crucial healthcare information and tools previously beyond their reach. By catering to diverse demographics, languages, and disease states, it addresses disparities, allowing patients to actively engage in their care, fostering a more informed, empowered, and healthier society. The platform's emphasis on real-time patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) and the sharing of diverse patient experiences transcends conventional healthcare data, facilitating more comprehensive and inclusive healthcare strategies, which ultimately enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.

Moreover, Wave Health's impact extends beyond immediate patient care, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability. Through its telehealth capabilities, the innovation substantially reduces carbon footprints by minimizing the need for in-person hospital visits, thus curbing greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation. By digitizing support materials and offering virtual connections, it drastically cuts down on paper and consumable usage, promoting eco-friendly practices in the healthcare sector. The platform's remote functionality not only benefits patients by providing convenience but also mitigates environmental strain, aligning healthcare advancements with environmental conservation efforts.

The innovation's societal impact is evident in its widespread adoption across multiple countries and languages, positively influencing global healthcare equity and inclusivity. Its eco-conscious design aligns healthcare practices with environmental responsibility, contributing to a sustainable future while catalyzing a paradigm shift towards more accessible, patient-centric healthcare services.

Interviews

Katherine Urbon, Strategic & Partnership

Jack Williams, Strategic & Partnership

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