When Modeling and Simulation in Healthcare Mature, It Is Called Quantitative Medicine

When Modeling and Simulation in Healthcare Mature, It Is Called Quantitative Medicine

By Jan De Backer

May 13, 2024

Let’s cut to the chase: ten years ago, models in healthcare were like the old Windows XP—clunky, limited, and often frustratingly out of sync with reality. Clinically, they had their merits, offering glimpses into the complex machinery of human biology. But honestly, these models were more of a scientific aspiration than a clinical tool. Physicians, surgeons, and nurses—the frontline warriors of healthcare—would almost reflexively glaze over at the mention of a new “model.” Why? Because these early attempts at digital healthcare were about as practical as using Google Maps to navigate the surface of Mars.

Fast forward to the last five years, and you’d think we’ve been living in a healthcare renaissance—and you wouldn’t be wrong. Thanks to the steroid injection of advancements in AI and medical imaging, the field of healthcare modeling has been transformed from science fiction to science fact. These aren’t your grandma’s models; these are high-octane, deeply analytical tools that chew through data and spit out actionable, life-saving insights.

The old guard of healthcare models might get nostalgic about the simpler times, but nostalgia is a poor excuse to ignore innovation. Today, “modeling and simulation” in healthcare doesn’t just simulate reality—it immerses us in a detailed, quantifiable, and actionable universe of medical knowledge. Enter “quantitative medicine”: a term that sounds like it was cooked up in a Silicon Valley lab but is rapidly becoming the lingua franca of modern healthcare.

Figure 1: percentage of active physicians who are age 55 or older in 2017 (left) and 2021 (right) Source: AMA Physician Masterfile (December 2017 and 2021).

Quantitative medicine is no buzzword; it’s a paradigm shift. It’s about turning the art of medicine into a science—where every decision can be mapped, modeled, and, most importantly, measured. Think of it as your health’s new GPS, guiding your medical journey with precision, predicting pitfalls, and ensuring the best route to wellness. This isn’t just evolution; it’s a revolution, powered by digital twins and advanced simulations that make old-school medical charts look like cave paintings. And the revolution will be quantified.

Why should you care? Because this is where the industry is sprinting, not just walking. The FDA, the big boss of U.S. healthcare regulation, isn’t just on board; they’re driving the innovation. By founding a Center of Excellence for Quantitative Medicine, they’ve signaled strong support for this approach, paving the way for a future where quantitative medicine isn’t just an option; it’s the standard.

Here’s the bottom line: the shift towards quantitative medicine isn’t just a fad. It’s the future. As technology evolves, so does our approach to healthcare, transforming from a reactive to a predictive and highly precise practice. In this new era, being informed isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about staying alive. Welcome to the age of quantitative medicine, where data is king, and your health is…the kingdom.