Numa Perez, MD
Innovation Fellow Project | 2018
During the first two years of his surgical residency, as he focused on acquiring the technical and clinical skills to become an outstanding surgeon, Numa Perez, MD, couldn’t help but notice how traditional care pathways seemed inefficient and inadequate for patients and providers alike. As a third-year resident he realized that, rather than accept the status quo, he ought to work on creating a better way to deliver care.
As an HTL Applied Research Fellow in Healthcare Innovation, Dr. Perez developed and piloted a solution to improving patient outcomes from complex surgical procedures by using a smartphone app. The app uses a smartphone app, SMS text messages, and emails, and allows for the delivery of educational materials, videos, surveys and reminders to patients undergoing colorectal surgery, which translates to better informed, less anxious patients. Simultaneously, this platform helps surgical teams closely monitor patients’ preparation for surgery and their recovery from it, aiding in the early detection and triaging of potential complications. Dr. Perez’s pilot using this patient engagement and data collection technology has the potential to revolutionize the way in which surgical care is delivered at Mass General, making the whole process truly patient-centered, and producing better clinical outcomes while improving the overall experience for both patients and providers alike.
