Why Digital Health Keeps Failing Patients - with David Pettigrew

Why are so few patients accessing the care they need when the tech is already here? In this episode, Henry Norton sits down with David Pettigrew CEO at my mhealth to unpack the real reasons digital health tools succeed or fail.From overlooked rehabilitation gaps to the power of patient-first design, this conversation spotlights how we can actually get medtech into the hands of the people who need it most.David shares his career pivot from corporate dream job to healthtech entrepreneur, and what it’s really like building products that serve thousands of patients. You’ll hear why uptake often has nothing to do with clinical data… and everything to do with how a product makes someone feel. Key TopicsWhy David left a “dream job” for a mission-driven startupHow digital health tools can close the rehab gapWhat makes an app truly “sticky” for usersThe business model tensions slowing down innovationLessons from working directly with patients, not just cliniciansRelated InsightsSimplicity drives adoption more than clinical complexityPatient awareness is often the biggest bottleneckScaling isn’t just about funding — it’s about access and trust Core ChallengesOnly 3% of patients in the U.S. get the rehab they needTraditional care pathways don’t scale to meet demandMany digital tools fail due to poor design and awarenessThe Crux of MedTech podcast is brought to you by Cruxx, a specialist surgical robotics recruitment agency. To learn more about Cruxx,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠click here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A big thank you to our sponsors on this season of the podcast; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TTP plc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ With a 35-year track record, TTP excels in turning innovative ideas into market-ready solutions. Their team of 300+ experts deliver breakthrough solutions in areas ranging from endoluminal robotics and navigation systems to ultrasound imaging. Whether you're a startup or a multinational, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TTP plc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ can accelerate your development with the latest technologies. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TTP.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠KUKA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a global leader in robotics with over 25 years of experience partnering with medtech companies on their journey to market. Their reputation is built on robust technology, reliability and long term collaboration and being more than just a supplier.KUKA provides trusted support throughout the product life cycle, from development to integration and beyond. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kuka.com/healthcare⁠⁠