The Faces of FIGUR8 Series

At FIGUR8, our vision is shaped by the brilliant minds of our Board Members, Clinical, and Business Advisors. In our new "Degrees of Freedom" blog series, we sit down with these industry leaders to uncover the personal motivations, technological innovations, strategic approaches, and future visions that guide their work and why they are excited about FIGUR8. Through eight carefully crafted questions, we'll delve into what drives their passion for transforming musculoskeletal care, how they envision the future of health tech, and the innovative strategies they employ to lead us toward it.

Join us on this journey to learn more about the experts shaping the future of FIGUR8 and the broader healthcare landscape.

Introducing Chris Brigham, MD: A Pioneer in Workers' Compensation and Musculoskeletal Health

Dr. Chris Brigham is a seasoned occupational medicine physician with over 30 years of experience addressing the complexities of workers' compensation and personal injury. Throughout his career, Dr. Brigham has been dedicated to bringing clarity to musculoskeletal issues, focusing on evidence-based medicine and innovative technologies like those pioneered by FIGUR8. A prolific writer, Dr. Brigham has authored numerous books and over 300 publications. He has also served as editor for the American Medical Association, including their pivotal AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

Personal Journey and Connection: Can you share a bit about your personal journey and what initially drew you to become a Clinical Advisor at FIGUR8?

My journey to becoming an Advisor at FIGUR8 was a natural progression of my career in occupational medicine. With decades of experience in impairment assessment, including serving as the Editor of several AMA Guides publications, I've always been passionate about improving patient outcomes. When I learned about FIGUR8's innovative approach to musculoskeletal care, I was immediately intrigued.

Their use of advanced sensor technology to objectively measure movement resonated with my commitment to evidence-based medicine. Joining FIGUR8 as an Advisor offered an exciting opportunity to contribute to a paradigm shift in how we diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions.

Vision and Mission Alignment: How does FIGUR8's mission to revolutionize musculoskeletal care resonate with your own professional values and goals?

FIGUR8's mission aligns perfectly with my professional values, focusing on integrity, excellence, and innovation. Throughout my career, I've advocated for evidence-based medicine and objective, data-driven approaches to patient care. FIGUR8's technology provides precisely that - a quantitative method to assess musculoskeletal function. This aligns with my goal of enhancing the accuracy of evaluations and improving treatment outcomes.

Moreover, their focus on non-invasive, patient-friendly solutions resonates with my belief in patient-centered care. FIGUR8's vision of revolutionizing musculoskeletal care through technology is a natural extension of my lifelong commitment to advancing occupational medicine and rehabilitation.

Technological Innovation: In your opinion, what makes FIGUR8 stand out in the healthcare technology landscape?

What sets FIGUR8 apart is its unique combination of wearable sensors and advanced analytics. Unlike traditional assessment methods that rely heavily on subjective observations, FIGUR8's technology provides objective, quantifiable data on movement patterns. This level of precision in measuring musculoskeletal function is unprecedented.

Furthermore, their use of AI and machine learning to analyze this data offers insights that were previously unattainable. This innovative approach not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also enables personalized treatment plans and more effective monitoring of patient progress. It's a game-changer in the field of musculoskeletal care.

Impact on Patient Care: Can you discuss your thoughts on how FIGUR8's technology has transformed patient outcomes and improved recovery times?

FIGUR8's technology has had a profound impact on patient outcomes. By providing precise, objective measurements of musculoskeletal function, it enables more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans. This leads to faster recovery times and improved functional outcomes.

Patients benefit from more targeted interventions, reducing the need for unnecessary treatments. The technology also allows for better tracking of progress, which can be motivating for patients and helps in fine-tuning treatment strategies.

Additionally, the non-invasive nature of the assessment means patients can be evaluated more frequently without discomfort, leading to better overall care management.

Challenges and Solutions: What are some of the biggest challenges FIGUR8 has faced in its development and implementation, and how have these been overcome?

One of the biggest challenges FIGUR8 faced was gaining acceptance in a field traditionally reliant on subjective assessments. Overcoming this required extensive validation studies and education of healthcare providers. Another challenge was integrating the technology seamlessly into existing clinical workflows. FIGUR8 addressed this through user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive training programs.

Data privacy and security were also critical concerns, which were met with robust encryption and compliance measures.

Lastly, scaling the technology while maintaining accuracy and reliability required significant R&D efforts. These challenges were overcome through persistence, continuous innovation, and close collaboration with healthcare providers and technology experts.

Future of Musculoskeletal Care: Where do you see the future of musculoskeletal care heading, and how do you envision FIGUR8 playing a role in that future?

The future of musculoskeletal care is undoubtedly data-driven and personalized, with a firm foundation in evidence-based medicine and innovative technologies. I envision a shift towards continuous monitoring and preventive care, rather than just treatment of existing conditions. FIGUR8 is well-positioned to lead this transformation.

The technology can enable early detection of potential issues, allowing for preventive interventions. I also see potential for integration with telemedicine platforms, making expert care more accessible. As AI and machine learning advance, FIGUR8's predictive capabilities will likely improve, further enhancing treatment outcomes.

The company's commitment to innovation suggests they'll continue to be at the forefront of these developments, shaping the future of musculoskeletal care.

Collaborations and Partnerships: How important are strategic partnerships and collaborations for FIGUR8, and can you highlight any key partnerships that have been particularly impactful?

Strategic partnerships have been crucial to FIGUR8's success. Collaborations with leading research institutions have been particularly impactful, providing validation for the technology and driving further innovation. Partnerships with healthcare providers and clinics have been essential for real-world implementation and refinement of the technology. Additionally, collaborations with sports teams and organizations have demonstrated the technology's versatility beyond clinical settings. These partnerships have not only enhanced FIGUR8's credibility but also expanded its reach and application.

Moving forward, I believe partnerships with payers and large healthcare systems will be key to wider adoption and integration of FIGUR8's technology.

Advice for Innovators: What advice would you give to other innovators and startups in the health tech space who are looking to make a significant impact on patient care and outcomes?

My advice to innovators in health tech is to stay focused on solving real clinical problems. Engage closely with healthcare providers and patients to understand their needs and pain points. Don't just innovate for the sake of technology – ensure your solutions deliver tangible improvements in patient care and outcomes. Prioritize rigorous scientific validation of your technology; credibility is crucial in healthcare. Be prepared for a long journey – healthcare is a complex field with many stakeholders and regulatory considerations. Build a diverse team that combines clinical, technical, and business expertise.

Lastly, be adaptable and resilient. The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and successful innovators need to be able to pivot and persevere in the face of challenges.

The Future with FIGUR8

Dr. Chris Brigham's decades of dedication to improving clarity and advancing evidence-based practices in workers' compensation and musculoskeletal health shine through in his collaboration with FIGUR8. His contributions not only enhance our understanding of these complex issues but also help pave the way for innovative solutions that bridge gaps in care. We’re grateful for his insights and expertise as we continue to drive change and improve outcomes in MSK health.

Stay tuned for more thought leadership from experts like Dr. Brigham via The Faces of FIGUR8.