Atlanta Medication Hackathon

What is the Atlanta Medical Hackathon?

 Hackathons are sprint-like events in which hackers involved in software development, programming, graphic design, project management, interface design along with a wide range of subject matter experts, collaborate on software projects. The Atlanta Medical Hackathon is an annual event that brings medical, technology and business professionals together to solve problems within the medical industry combining the knowledge base of different specialties in an innovative environment.

  The inaugural hackathon is meant to bring medical professionals into the normal hackathon flow. By bringing in medical professionals (and students), subject matter experts and possible end users have direct input and work in the solution creation process.

Challenges:

Navigating Healthcare

One of the greatest difficulties patients encounter is not knowing the right place to get the care they need at the right time. Part of this challenge comes from the incredibly complex health care delivery system in place today. To help patients overcome this challenge, participants will create new tools to improve navigation through the health care system and to obtain access to community-based care and wellness programs as well as other ancillary services that support patient’s efforts in improving their health.

Transparency in Healthcare

Transparency, whether in terms of cost, data or anything else, has been a great issue in healthcare. Without the proper information, patients cannot make informed decisions on doctors, labs, imaging or other tools of treatment. Overcoming the problems of diminished data transparency helps patients discover what medical information is available around them (providers, insurance acceptance, pricing, wait times, etc.). Participants will work to create solutions to this challenge while keeping open access and HIPPA compliance issues in mind.

Accessible Healthcare

Patients need to be educated and empowered to make the right lifestyle choices and help them stick to the proper treatment plan. While some information sources are better than others, the overall onslaught of information can become a challenge to navigate. Tools that could access a single source would help to dispel a lot of the mixed messages flooding the marketplace and help patients make decisions that support a healthy lifestyle. Participants will create a solution to empower patients to make better health decisions allowing for greater self-management while also helping to know when to contact their medical provider. Think creatively on how to change patients' thinking from "the doctor will see you now" to “the patient will see you now”.

Medical Imaging

Medical imaging is one of the most innovative segments of medical programming today. However, each new step is met with more challenges. Create innovative solutions using imaging technologies, systems modeling and data analytics to provide greater insight into health conditions in turn leading to better patient care.

Transitioning to Adult Care

Changing care providers is never easy. When you’re new to advocating for your own health care or are dealing with chronic illnesses like diabetes or cystic fibrosis, it can be even more challenging to make such a transition. Hackathon participants will create new tools to assist pediatricians, family physicians and internists to support adolescents, including those with special health care needs, as they transition to an adult model of health care.