DirectTrust is working with DTA on a new accreditation program
DirectTrust and the Digital Therapeutics Alliance announced this week that they will collaborate on an accreditation program designed to test the efficacy and safety of digital therapeutics apps and platforms.
WHY IT MATTERS
Together, two groups will work together to establish a review regime that will build on existing DirectTrust programs that provide independent review of health apps in the areas of security and transparency, privacy protections, compliance with interoperability rules and best practices, and more, according to DTA, that means being annual summit this week.
The goal is to “establish a rigorous accreditation program specific to DTx products that will build on DirectTrust’s established and widely accepted Privacy and Security Accreditation Program,” said Andy Molnar, CEO of Digital Therapeutics Alliance.
DirectTrust, meanwhile, already has a suite of programs designed to assess the vast and wildly diverse market for digital healthcare apps and platforms.
“Our Health App program evaluates privacy and security, while the CARIN Code of Conduct for Consumer-Facing Applications evaluates transparency and data use outside of HIPAA,” said Scott Stuewe, president and CEO of DirectTrust. “Additionally, our UDAP programs validate effective, scalable connections to national healthcare networks using the FHIR standard.”
DTA will take the lead in developing criteria for the new program – expected to launch later this year – while DirectTrust will administer it.
A focus group consisting of stakeholders with expertise and interest in clinical efficacy will also be established as a subgroup of the DirectTrust Criteria Council, and anyone interested in applying the Criteria Council or participating as a science organization for accreditation is encouraged to join the DirectTrust Criteria Council to visit. website or send an email to admin@directtrust.org.
THE BIG TREND
In recent years, DTA has produced a range of collaborative, validated resources to define and assess DTx products. Those frameworks – such as the product library in which they are included core principles of the sector and the DTx Value Assessment and Integration Guide – will serve as the basis for the new training assessment criteria.
DTA also draws stakeholders’ attention to the recent developments clinical evidence “Preparing the way for a suitable DTx evidence standard.”
Digital therapies are proving their worth at home and with healthcare providers, offering new approaches to managing a range of conditions including ADHD, generalized anxiety, multiple sclerosis and many others.
DTA, meanwhile, has worked to ensure the effectiveness of those myriad apps and tools, while encouraging technology developers to continue focusing on health equity.
Meanwhile, among many recent initiatives, DirectTrust has focused on interoperability use cases, such as the secure cloud fax standard.
ON THE RECORD
“As the digital therapeutics industry grows, more U.S. physicians, healthcare providers, health plans, employers and patients are evaluating how to best incorporate DTx products into their health plans to provide the highest quality of care,” said Molnar. “With an overwhelming number of products touting a wide range of clinical accuracy, it is critical that we set the bar high to build trust.”
“With the creation of this new accreditation to assess the clinical efficacy of Digital Therapeutics, organizations will be able to select the programs that are right for their business models,” said Steuwe.
Mike Miliard is editor-in-chief of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: mike.miliard@himssmedia.com
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.