BIOMED Seminar
Title:
Using Technology for Mental Health Evaluation, Treatment, and Patient Engagement
Speaker:
Adam Pardes
Chief Operating Officer
NeuroFlow Inc.
PhD Candidate in Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania
Abstract:
Quantifying mental health is difficult to do. Providers are limited by how accurately patients can self-report their feelings and symptoms through interviewing or questionnaires. But what if our minds and bodies could speak for themselves? With recent advances in technology, this idea is no longer science fiction. While we will not be reading anyone’s thoughts any time soon, it is certainly now possible to objectively measure how patients are physiologically responding to treatment protocols. Using techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV), mental health providers can instantly see changes in a patient’s stress during an imaginal exposure or relaxation during a mindfulness exercise. We will explore how once confusing or frustrating situations can now be improved through the use of innovative technology, empowering both providers and patients alike.
We know that treatment does not end when patients leave the four walls of a provider’s office. Engaging patients and collecting data from everyday life can give providers added insight into how well patients are generalizing their treatment and feeling between sessions. It is a balancing act to make remote patient monitoring (RPM) data-rich and valuable, yet sensitive and unobtrusive. We will highlight some of the key opportunities and challenges related to RPM, including electronic health record integration and insurance reimbursement.
Biosketch:
Adam Pardes is a published scientific researcher, with extensive experience in academic settings and leading SaaS-based product growth. After earning a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering at Tufts University, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania to complete a doctoral degree in bioengineering. He has spent the last three years in various operations and analytics roles at high-growth startups, including Sidecar (which has raised 30 million in venture capital), prior to co-founding NeuroFlow, alongside Chris Molaro.