How Digital Health is Transforming Patient Rehabilitation — Insights from David Pettigrew of my mhealth

In a recent episode of The Crux of MedTech podcast, David Pettigrew, CEO of my mhealth, shared his journey from working in what he once called his “dream job” to leading one of the most innovative digital health companies in the UK. The conversation uncovered how simplicity, patient engagement, and targeted innovation can transform chronic disease management and rehabilitation — and why so many healthcare systems are still missing the opportunity.

From Industry Leader to Digital Health Entrepreneur

David’s career began in the corporate MedTech world, culminating in a senior position at Sagentia. While he loved the role, he made a pivotal shift into entrepreneurship, driven by the potential to directly improve patient outcomes through digital tools.

That decision led him to my mhealth, a digital platform designed to help patients manage chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease — with a growing focus on rehabilitation.

“The more simple the solution for the patient, the more uptake you get,” David explained. “We’ve stripped away complexity so patients actually use the tool.”

The Rehabilitation Gap: Why Only 3% Get the Care They Need

One of the most striking statistics David shared was that only 3% of Americans eligible for rehabilitation are actually receiving it. The reasons?

• Lack of awareness among patients

• Limited education for both patients and healthcare professionals

• Misaligned healthcare incentives that don’t prioritise rehab

This gap is particularly alarming given the proven impact rehabilitation can have on quality of life and long-term outcomes.

How my mhealth Drives Engagement Where Others Fail

Unlike many digital health apps that struggle to retain users, my mhealth has achieved strong daily engagement by focusing on:

• Simplicity: An intuitive interface that encourages daily interaction.

• Personalisation: Condition-specific pathways for asthma, COPD, and other chronic illnesses.

• Holistic support: Beyond rehab, the platform addresses anxiety, symptom tracking, and education.

The result? Patients stick with it — and healthcare providers get actionable data that can improve treatment plans.

Who Benefits — and Who Pays?

A core challenge for digital health adoption is identifying who has the incentive to implement it. While patients clearly benefit, David pointed out that reimbursement and funding structures in many health systems aren’t yet aligned to support widespread rollout.

However, as healthcare increasingly moves toward value-based care, solutions that improve outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions are gaining attention from payers and providers.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for my mhealth

David closed the discussion by hinting at exciting developments on the horizon — from expanding into new therapeutic areas to strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers internationally.

Key Takeaways

• Digital health works best when it’s simple, patient-focused, and integrated into care pathways.

• Rehabilitation remains vastly underutilised, with huge potential for impact.

• my mhealth’s success shows that designing for engagement is the key to sustained patient outcomes.

📢 Listen to the full conversation with David Pettigrew on The Crux of MedTech podcast to explore the future of digital health and how companies like my mhealth are closing the gap in patient rehabilitation.