Navigating Digital Health: Insights from a Clinical Affairs Leader | MatchDay Health

Are you a physician seeking new career opportunities beyond traditional clinical practice? Look no further than the rapidly evolving field of digital health. In the latest episode of the Dream Job podcast, host Dr. Rami Wehbi sits down with Dr. Mohit Jaspura, VP of Clinical Affairs at OpenLoop, to explore the thrilling world of digital health and the unique career paths it offers for clinicians. 

Stepping into Digital Health: A Serendipitous Journey

Dr. Jaspura's journey into digital health began serendipitously during the COVID-19 pandemic when he joined Oscar Health to help design and launch their virtual primary care practice across multiple states. This opportunity not only accelerated the growth of digital health but also ignited his passion for this avant-garde approach to healthcare delivery.

"It was the right time to do it. And that was my opening into the space," he recalls.

Gaining Experience: The Key to Unlocking Opportunities

As Dr. Jaspura emphasizes, "You can't be experienced without gaining experience." While these roles demand a certain level of expertise, it can be challenging to accumulate the necessary experience without someone taking a leap of faith on you. To overcome this hurdle, he recommends getting involved with telehealth companies, expanding your licensure across multiple states, and gaining hands-on experience through asynchronous or synchronous telemedicine consultations.

Building a Unique Skill Set

One of the key qualities that set Dr. Jaspura apart was his ability to communicate effectively across various functional teams, including product, engineering, and operations. This cross-functional skillset enabled him to bridge the gap between clinical and non-clinical domains, making him a valuable asset in the digital health space.

"What a lot of us haven't been exposed to is how to communicate with other players in the healthcare ecosystem, whether it's product people, or engineering people, or operations people, and working together with them, and showing the ability to communicate with them and developing a virtual product," he explains.

The Day-to-Day: Balancing Clinical and Business Objectives

As a clinical affairs leader, Dr. Jaspura's day-to-day responsibilities involve overseeing the entire clinical group, developing and maintaining clinical protocols across various clients and conditions, and assisting the operations and product teams in shaping the company's clinical strategy.

However, he acknowledges that striking the right balance between clinical rigor and business objectives can be a continuous learning process. "It's always a balancing act between establishing clinical rigor and enhancing what I call user experience or patient experience," he notes.

The Highs and Lows: Embracing the Startup Rollercoaster

While the digital health space offers exciting opportunities, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Dr. Jaspura candidly shares his experience of being laid off, a risk that clinicians are often unfamiliar with in traditional medicine. However, he views these setbacks as valuable learning experiences that foster camaraderie and humility within the industry.

"It really brings a different sense and a different layer of perspective, or at least it did for me and camaraderie with the rest of my colleagues who had been through this sometimes three times in three years," he reflects.

The Future of Digital Health: Boundless Opportunities

As the demand for digital health solutions continues to grow, Dr. Jaspura is optimistic about the boundless opportunities available for clinicians in this space. He encourages physicians to embrace their ability to learn and adapt, highlighting the importance of networking, attending conferences, and staying abreast of industry developments through resources like Health Tech Nerds and Beyond Medicine Group.

"The opportunities for those of you or those of us who are interested in making that foray or that leap into the space are only going to increase and not decrease in my mind, because the demand still exceeds, and I think will continue to exceed supply when it comes to having the right type of clinician who has both the necessary clinical skill set and also the kind of operational know-how," he asserts.

Dr. Mohit Jaspura's insights offer a compelling glimpse into the dynamic world of digital health and the exciting career paths it presents for physicians. Whether you're seeking a fresh challenge or aspiring to make a broader impact on healthcare, the digital health space beckons with its innovative approach and boundless opportunities for growth. So, embrace the avant-garde, hone your cross-functional skills, and embark on this exhilarating journey – the future of healthcare awaits!

Tune in to the full episode of the Dream Job podcast to gain even more invaluable insights from Dr. Mohit Jaspura's experiences and perspectives on navigating the digital health landscape. Explore the exciting possibilities that lie ahead and unlock your dream career in this rapidly evolving industry.