With fresh (and happy) memories of our annual conference, we can look back on a successful 2024 edition, for the occasion organized in collaboration with the ADLIFE project and dedicated to the challenges and opportunities of digital health transformation.
25 outstanding international speakers from all parts of the health ecosystem were tasked with the mission to inspire the audience with insights and reports of innovative developments, addressing all dimensions of digital healthcare transformation. They all skillfully lived up to the challenge, lacing their talks with bold statements and calls to action for different stakeholders.
The chosen location was Bilbao in Spain’s Basque Country, home to BIOSISTEMAK, the coordinating partner of the ADLIFE consortium.
‘Digital health transformation’, the very definition of this year’s conference theme, was the first of many discussion starters. Should we not stop using the words ‘digital health’? After all, health itself is not digital, and digitalization has become an unquestionable part of everyday life.
However, leaving nobody behind, a smart hybrid approach is the way forward to guarantee equitable access to healthcare: let digital tools handle foundational information, tasks and analyses, thus creating more space for personalized (inter)actions and guidance.
“The key to transformation is always the human factor.”
What matters to the patient
Speakers unanimously emphasized the importance of the patient perspective. Whether it’s involving patients in guideline or app development, incorporating patient-reported outcomes in clinical measures, or enabling shared decision making, their voices must be central. As one speaker put it, “Let’s include patients as members of our interdisciplinary teams.”
Collaboration and leadership
That ideal level of integrated care challenges many of the rules and social relations we live by in current health and care settings. A broad collaboration within and across organisations demands strong leadership to foster open, honest conversations across interdisciplinary groups on roles, responsibilities, competencies, areas of overlap or conflict. But the shift towards more collaboration is definitely happening!
Technology design, adoption and quality
Technology acceptance and adoption doesn’t happen by accident. It takes thorough user research, good design thinking and continuous iterations to keep improving health tools. We were lucky to hear a 20-minute mini masterclass on this topic that managed to captivate all attendees, from developers to clinicians to managers. Shifting to real world cases, representatives from EU projects exposed a treasure trove of exciting health solutions in various stages of development. Regarding quality, the development of health apps inherently requires rigorous assessment to ensure they meet the high standards users rightfully expect.
Data
Importantly, there is an urgent need for more open and reliable data. Clinicians require it for application in the clinic. Researchers rely on data to demystify disease with the ultimate goal to improve outcomes and prevent illness. Health systems need data to drive their digital innovation programmes and to evaluate overall performance. Crucially, as patients are willing to trust us with their data, all stakeholders must feel accountable for using data responsibly and avoiding siloed practices.
Networking put into practice
No two-day event in the vibrant city of Bilbao would be complete without exploring its cultural gems. After an intense first day and a head buzzing with ideas, we shifted gears to unwind and connect in a more informal setting. A guided tour of the historic old town, bustling like on a summer evening, coincided with the lighting of the Christmas decorations. We culminated the evening with a delightful dinner testifying to Bilbao’s renowned culinary scene.
These are exciting times, with numerous challenges but also a wealth of promising initiatives. ADLIFE was a beautiful running thread throughout the conference, highlighting progress and insights that inspire optimism.”
Expressing their appreciation and gratitude to all attendees, speakers, panelists and moderators, they stressed the call to action often voiced during the two days: for all to be active drivers of the changes we need. As one of the invited speakers powerfully urged, “Don’t say, ‘We should do this.’ but make sure you can say, ‘We have done so.’”
Interested in attending one of our upcoming events in person? Learn more about our next event here “Health Data Summit ’25”.
