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Faces of Digital Health

Faces of Digital Health

By: Tjasa Zajc
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Faces of Digital Health is a podcast about digital health, exploring how different healthcare systems adopt technologies in healthcare. Its aim is to satisfy curiosity about different cultures, identify barriers to success in different countries and finding answers and advice for accelerating the success of digital health entrepreneurs.Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Politics & Government
Episodes
  • NHS Workforce Crisis: Pay, Training Bottlenecks, and Retention (Derrek Khor)

    NHS Workforce Crisis: Pay, Training Bottlenecks, and Retention (Derrek Khor)
    Jan 29 2026
    As artificial intelligence rapidly enters healthcare, bold claims about replacing doctors dominate headlines. But on the clinical frontline, the reality is far more complex. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, oncologist Dr. Derrick Khor shares an unfiltered view from inside the NHS, unpacking what AI actually changes — and what it doesn’t. Rather than framing AI as a threat, the conversation explores how it already supports clinicians and patients alike: simplifying complex medical information, helping patients understand their diagnoses, and accelerating access to evidence. Yet the biggest constraint isn’t technology — it’s data. Without reliable access to their own health records, patients and AI tools alike remain limited. The discussion also tackles a growing contradiction in healthcare systems: simultaneous staff shortages and doctor unemployment. Training bottlenecks, hiring freezes, pay erosion, and misaligned workforce planning have created a situation where well-trained clinicians struggle to find roles, even as demand for care continues to rise. Beyond workforce pressures, Dr. Khor explains why most health tech never makes it into daily clinical use. Solutions often fail not because they’re unsafe or ineffective, but because they don’t fit real workflows. If technology adds friction even a single unnecessary click — clinicians won’t adopt it. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com https://fodh.substack.com/
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    45 mins
  • Voice tech and AI: Is Detecting Diseases Based on 45 s of Voice Accurate? (Henry O'Connell)

    Voice tech and AI: Is Detecting Diseases Based on 45 s of Voice Accurate? (Henry O'Connell)
    Jan 22 2026
    Ambient documentation is becoming normal in clinics. But the most interesting “voice” capability may not be transcription at all.In the latest episode of Faces of Digital Health, Henry O'Connell (Canary Speech) explains why voice biomarkers stalled for decades: the field analyzed words, not the neurological signal behind speech production.Canary’s approach focuses on the “primary data layer”—how the central nervous system drives respiration, vocal cord vibration, and articulation in real conversational speech. A few details that stood out: ⏱️ ~45 seconds of conversation can be enough for assessment 🎛️ 2,590 voice features analyzed every 10ms (millions of data points) 🎯 Reported accuracy: 98%+ for progressive neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s/Huntington’s/Alzheimer’s), while behavioral health tends to be lower (often in the 80s) 🌍 Validation is repeated per language/culture—no “deploy and hope” model 🧭 Use cases go beyond diagnosis: screening in primary care, clinical trials outcome tracking, and even in-room aggression risk signals to help protect staff One line that captures the idea: it’s about measuring what’s present in the moment—objective signals that complement clinical judgment. Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction to Voice Biomarkers in Digital Health 01:48 Historical Context and Evolution of Voice Analysis 06:52 Innovative Approaches to Voice Data Analysis 08:54 Technical Insights into Voice Analysis 16:07 Accuracy and Efficacy of Voice Biomarkers 28:27 Challenges and Acceptance in Clinical Practice 35:04 Ethical Dilemmas in Genetic Testing 36:32 Understanding Genetic Information and Its Implications 37:58 Objective vs. Subjective Assessments in Mental Health 39:59 Proactive Care and Early Detection of Cognitive Decline 42:43 Technology in Wellness and Employee Mental Health 45:18 Data Privacy and Ethical Considerations in Health Tech 49:06 Remote Monitoring and Clinical Trials 01:00:57 Future of Health Technology and Global Expansion Youtube: https://youtu.be/662VfHhdSFQ?si=t80_PblCf1L6dv4V Website: www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Robots and Healthcare: A Solution for Caregiving Shortage? (Tanja Ahlin)

    Robots and Healthcare: A Solution for Caregiving Shortage? (Tanja Ahlin)
    Jan 5 2026
    The conversation explores the impact of robots on mental health and their role in healthcare. Anthropologist Tanja Ahlin and Faces of digital health host Tjasa Zajc discuss the fascination with robots, the ambiguous identity of robots, their use in elder care, the challenges of integrating robots, the global perspective on robots, and the misconceptions and realities of robots. The conversation explores the impact of technology on different generations, the role of individual choices in technology use. The speakers also talk about concerns about children and technology, the role of parents, and the impact of technology on human development and creativity. It also emphasizes the importance of optimism and flexibility in adapting to technology. Chapters 02:00 The Fascination with Robots 15:01 Robots in Elder Care 14:15 The Global Perspective on Robots 20:46 Misconceptions and Realities of Robots 29:57 Technology and Generational Sensitization 35:19 The Role of Technology in Creativity 44:28 The Societal Impact of Technology 51:54 The Biological and Psychological Impact of Technology
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    53 mins
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