Theranos - many lessons learned, yet one lesson not discussed and expanded upon

by Rose M. Rohloff

Many articles and discussions have centered around the rise and demise of Theranos. The company valuation and strategy were based on their technology for running multiple tests, at reduced cost, utilizing a pin-prick instead of a regular needle blood draw. Learned lessons from the devaluation and closing of the labs and blood testing centers include the lack of transparency, the need for thoroughly vetting new innovation, the requirement to understand the actual market, the need to support vision with qualified proof-of-concept, as well as deficient oversight and due diligence - to name a few. One lesson of success, however, has been overlooked: The model of a needed paradigm was beginning to be established. 

Leaders in the healthcare industry tout the need for enabling consumers to be more engaged with their own health. The vision for Theranos to offer new blood testing technology also precipitated three (3) key factors supporting increased consumerism: ​
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1- having lab results sent simultaneously to consumers/customers at the same time to their physicians, within 24 hours;
2- the passage of AZ law HB 2645, enabling individuals to order their own blood tests from a licensed clinical lab without a doctor's order, paying cash; and
3- easier access to get lab tests performed through multiple, local health and wellness pharmacies, instead of going to a lab or hospital.
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This paradigm has not been discussed as successful, and one key component for involvement with control over one's own health, expanding the traditional care continuum to a health maintenance continuum. 
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The lab model has great benefit, and feasible when costs are not prohibitive, especially avoiding a doctor's office visit when only ordering labs, or if one wishes to bring any abnormal readings then to the doctor's attention. 

With the many lessons learned from an aborted (shady) startup, marketed to disrupt the healthcare industry with its counterfeit technology, the direction for having consumer-driven as the process should not be overlooked - and actually be revisited to expand upon the great health ownership model of good disruption to healthcare.​