Exploring Physician Independence with Brittany Busse, President & Chief Medical Officer at ViTel Health
"Happy Physicians, Healthy Patients"
Explorers is the spotlight series that brings together the people leading bold missions to improve health, technology, and society. Let’s meet today’s Explorer.
Meet Brittany
Q. Tell us a little bit about you and your journey.
I am a physician who graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in 2009.
In 2013, I left my residency training in surgery due to health issues— it was then that I began my real journey as a physician. Initially, I worked as an Urgent Care physician and then later became a telemedicine medical director. It was during this time that I witnessed firsthand the negative impact that the loss of autonomy was having on physicians and their patients.
In 2021, I co-founded ViTel Health with Doug Sumaraga, driven by the mission of restoring the patient-physician relationship and improving access to independent physicians.
Meet ViTel Health
Q. Tell us about your mission and the people you serve.
Our mission is clear: "Happy Physicians, Healthy Patients." We are dedicated to serving both physicians and their patients, with the overarching aim of building a healthier care ecosystem.
ViTel Health provides the essential technology, services, and personnel that physicians need to deliver direct care to their patients. At the same time, we empower patients to take control of their health by offering remote vital sign monitoring and health coaching, fostering care that is simple and accessible for everyone.
Why now?
Q. Tell us a bit more about the problem you’re solving.
The state of US healthcare is abysmal. Our health outcomes and life expectancy are declining, even while spending continues to grow.
Insurance and managed care have failed to address these core issues. The introduction of retail "solutions" only makes matters worse, and continues to drive a wedge between physicians and patients by making our healthcare experiences more transactional.
We believe the solution requires returning to a time when physicians and patients shared an intimate relationship built on trust and a willingness to work together. Sadly, this connection has eroded, and the animosity we see has only worsened post-pandemic. To empower individuals to take control of their health journeys, we must reestablish these vital connections that foster wellbeing and trust. Only then will we enable happier physicians and healthier patients.
Q. What trends and signals are top of mind in your space?
One of the most pressing issues is the widening primary care gap and the looming physician shortage. Projections indicate that over the next decade, we could face a deficit ranging from 34,000 to 130,000 physicians.
Another alarming trend is the unprecedented levels of physician burnout, which have reached an all-time high. Coupled with this, we are witnessing a concerning increase in worker attrition within the healthcare sector. These issues are not only affecting healthcare professionals but also have profound implications for patients and the entire healthcare ecosystem.
Q. Any recent wins people should know about?
Yes! We've had some exciting developments recently. First, we've established partnerships with charitable organizations to extend our services to elderly patients. This initiative involves providing vital sign monitoring and access to primary care physicians for this vulnerable demographic.
We are also in the process of expanding our Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program to encompass specialties like nephrology and cardiology. (Author’s note: you had me at nephrology!)
Final Frontier
Deep [Space], Deeper Questions — 5 Questions in 50 words or less
Q1: Top Opportunity in your space right now?
A: Expanding remote patient monitoring (RPM)
Q2: Top Challenge in your space right now?
A: Market fragmentation
Q3: Tech Trends you’re following?
A: AI and personalized GPTs
Q4: Top Media recommendations?
Q5: Leaders you’re following?
A: Kat McDavitt and Robert Pearl, MD
Connect and Follow
Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn
Learn more about ViTel Health
Read Brittany’s feature on Nasdaq
Listen to Brittany’s on Outcomes Rocket with Natanya Wachtel
This Explorers series aims to elevate the stories of those building a better future in healthcare and technology. Meet the clinicians, scientists, technologists, and trailblazers driving positive change in healthcare, technology, and beyond. Let’s share their stories and amplify their signals to the right people.