We’re Creating the First Guide to FemTech for Clinical Care
Maybe it’s my public health training, maybe it’s the time I spent working at Duke, but one of my soap box issues is the need for validation of consumer health devices. The Digital Health industry has produced many amazing companies, many with good intentions, but finding out the science that backs their solutions, algorithms, and devices is hard to find.
I’ve been researching FemTech— technology enabled solutions for women’s and reproductive health— for the last 4 years. A major need I uncovered was that there is a huge gap between the consumer space and the healthcare space. Specifically:
OB-GYNs, Family Medicine Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, and Midwives either haven’t heard of FemTech or digital health, don’t trust it, or have no idea what works and what doesn’t (1)
Women and birthing people are targeted with ads for period trackers, kegel trainers, and pregnancy apps, yet initial studies indicate how few companies are actually protecting data and backed by research (2, 3, 4)
Millennials and GenX are digital natives and want mobile apps and home solutions to manage their healthcare needs. (5)
Together with Mia Mathura, UNC MSPH Student, and Dr. Erin Carey, UNC Gynecological Surgeon, I’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign on experiment.com, to fund our research and creation of the first FemTech Guide for Clinical Care. We aim to review the data, science, and claims of hundreds of FemTech companies and identify what TRULY WORKS. What solutions healthcare providers can feel confident suggesting to their patients. And what women can feel confident using their hard earned cash to buy from the market.
We need to raise $6,000 for this project and I’m asking you to make a donation to our campaign. It’s an all-or-nothing platform, so we need to hit $6,000 in order to get any of the project funding.
A huge thanks to everyone supporting this project and better healthcare for the women you know and love.
