Kyle E. Hultgren, PharmD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University. He received his PharmD degree from Purdue University. Dr. Hultgren’s current research includes work on artificial intelligence and the development of large language models for the evaluation and integration of publicly available social media data as potential surveillance signals. As a result of this work, he guided the creation of SafeRx, a large, curated, relational database containing millions of adverse drug events gathered using AI tools. Dr. Hultgren is responsible for the creation and dissemination of innovative online education programming for medical professionals targeted at expanding professional competency using non-traditional methods. In addition to his research, he has worked extensively to bring new safety concepts to medical professionals and holds three patents on medical devices designed to improve patient safety. Dr. Hultgren founded a two-year post-PharmD fellowship in medication safety and regulatory affairs, a program that has now graduated 10 fellows. He lectures nationally and internationally on safe medication use practices and is the recipient of the 2015 Purdue University College of Pharmacy’s Dr. Aziz Teaching Award.
I believe that a core strength of digital and telehealth today is the ability to meet our patients where they are at. This can of course mean geographically - the ability to bring high quality care to people in communities everywhere a digital connection can be made. But it also means meeting our patients where they are at in life. The cultivation of robust digital and telehealth platforms means that we can meet patients on wearable tech to help monitor everything from basic vitals to chronic conditions. We can meet in the kitchen on integrated devices aimed at helping out with dietary needs. We can meet on laptops and tablets for one-on-one interactions from their bedroom or their car. And we can do it all when the patient needs it most. With a nearly limitless ability to create data in today’s world, making sense of it for the benefit of patient care will be paramount. Artificial Intelligence will help providers and patients alike with this incredible task. Digital and telehealth platforms are not just digitizing and modernizing the way we have always practiced clinical care; they are creating a new paradigm for what great care looks and feels like.