Roundtable Discussions
Leadership in healthcare.
Where innovation meets impact, and every decision paves the way for a healthier tomorrow.
Step into the dynamic domain of healthcare, where the role of leadership isn’t just important – it’s the driving force behind the sector’s effectiveness and sustainability on both national and European levels. In this ever-evolving landscape, leadership is more than making decisions; it's about prioritising and adapting. Skills that are crucial for tackling the constant challenges faced by today’s healthcare systems.
But here’s the twist: it’s not a solitary journey. Strategic partnerships among leaders from various sectors and countries hold the key to unlocking collaboration and strategic knowledge sharing. Imagine the potential when minds from different corners of Europe unite, pooling resources and expertise to propel healthcare systems towards greater efficiency and sustainability. This isn't just another conference; it's an exclusive rendezvous for leaders shaping the future of European healthcare.
Sharing of healthcare data across Europe.
The success of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) demands that health leaders tackle the complex challenge of balancing patient privacy, fostering innovation, and driving top-tier research. Healthcare leaders must break down barriers and critically assess the existing structure and standards, forging a path towards a future where data fuels transformative healthcare.
How do we tackle interoperability and the lack of standardisation stemming from diverse formats and standards in different systems? How can we harness EHDS in the future to facilitate information sharing and collectively pursue the shared objective of enhancing healthcare for all European citizens? Additionally, what will be the implementation costs of EHDS and how will they be recovered?
Strengthening the continuous improvement of healthcare quality.
Enhancing quality through data-driven solutions brings significant benefits to both patients and the healthcare system. Picture this: quality data, driving solutions that revolutionise patient care, decision-making, and operational efficiency. It's not just about numbers; it's about empowering healthcare leaders to make informed decisions that facilitate more efficient treatment development across sectors. Whether tackling technical challenges, organisational hurdles, or concerns regarding data security, a cohesive and integrated strategy is needed to comprehensively address these obstacles.
How can we intensify the integration of quality data into daily healthcare practices to extract greater healthcare value? And what defines “great value” for the healthcare ecosystem? What management tools and processes ensure a seamless quality improvement process?
Revolutionising healthcare by utilising AI and automation for improved treatment and efficiency.
Welcome to the frontier of healthcare—the integration of AI and automation. A field that holds boundless potential, but also significant challenges - not least for healthcare leadership. Leaders at the forefront must embrace these technologies, which in the end, and used correctly, can benefit both healthcare professionals and patients. But it's not just about embracing technology; it's about mastering it. And here's where it gets intriguing: in parallel come ethical considerations and the question of trust - e.g. from trusting AI solutions to valuing the expertise of physicians. It's a delicate balance, requiring transparent communication and deep knowledge of the field.
How do we raise awareness about the ethical aspect of AI usage? What is the business case for implementing AI solutions to address healthcare services? As leaders, how do we effectively incorporate AI into decision-making?
Strategies for growing and sustaining the workforce.
At the heart of healthcare is the workforce. Retaining and supporting the healthcare workforce demands a nuanced combination of management strategies that address both professional and personal needs of healthcare workers. Education, while a cornerstone in maintaining a robust workforce, cannot stand alone. To build a resilient workforce, it is necessary to establish and maintain a healthy and sustainable work environment. Leaders in healthcare carry the ultimate responsibility and play a central role in cultivating environments that nurture and sustain. These leaders must adopt a proactive approach to strategies that foster a culture of support and empowerment. It's not just about reacting to challenges—it's about investing in healthcare’s most valuable asset: its people.
How do healthcare managers deal with the demands of the next generation’s approach to work-life balance? How to educate, recruit, and retain workers? How to ensure the cultural integration of workers from other countries – and deal with the potential ethical issues in recruiting from abroad?
Navigating responsibilities and innovative solutions for a greener healthcare system.
On a societal level, the healthcare system bears a double responsibility in preserving our environment while delivering quality patient treatment. This calls for a proactive stance towards sustainability, which requires a true holistic approach and cross-sector collaboration to ensure that the healthcare system not only addresses individual health but also actively embraces a greener mindset. This requires reassessment of practices, implementing sustainable solutions, and education of both staff and patients. Some solutions are evident – from recycling equipment to reducing food waste, from conserving water to eco-friendly construction. But, amidst the solutions, many challenges persist. The trick is to uncover how healthcare can effectively contribute to sustainable living.
Are there untapped opportunities for more creative and localised solutions at departmental or individual level? How do we instil a sense of responsibility in patients and healthcare professionals? How do we propel healthcare towards a more environmentally conscious future? Are we ready to change the way we purchase for hospitals?
From concept to action in implementing innovative healthcare solutions.
In healthcare innovation, new and better solutions may seem clear, but it takes courage to break from conventional methods and take the first step. Healthcare leaders face the challenge of navigating complex organisational structures, influencing decisions that shape the future of patient care and sustainability. Explore the path from inspiration to implementation – a journey that requires venturing beyond the comfort zone and challenging the status quo. The responsibility of leadership is not only to initiate change, but also to encourage and support employees on every step towards practical implementation. Unfortunately, the organisational weight within healthcare can prove a substantial obstacle, with prolonged decision-making processes and intricate hierarchies. The courage to insist on necessary changes becomes crucial, and leaders must persevere in paving the way for ideas and innovation.
How does one, as a healthcare leader, support the bridging of the gap from concept to action? How do you manage innovation processes towards what is crucial for a business model? And, how can we effectively transfer solutions from one place to another?
Transforming healthcare towards more home treatment and telemedicine.
Hospitals are facing escalating pressure on healthcare services, fuelling a shift towards home treatment and telemedicine. Well-known benefits include freeing up hospital capacity, offering patient-centred treatment, improved quality of life, and more. Successful outcomes hinge on visionary leadership capable of steering through the maze of technological and organisational challenges. One key ingredient? Clarifying and distributing responsibilities to foster seamless collaboration and structure between “internal” and “external” care settings. And don’t forget the bottom line: achieving cost-effectiveness by reallocating resources demands strategic leadership prioritisation and restructuring for desired value creation.
From a leadership perspective, how do we establish the necessary incentives to drive the desired change and cooperation among healthcare professionals? How do we cultivate a culture among healthcare professionals and patients that embraces innovation and continuous improvements in home treatment? How do we ensure trustworthy high-quality services in the patient’s own home?
Mastering the mind - mental health. Navigating the complexity between policy, leadership, and mental healthcare solutions.
Healthcare systems are confronted with the significant task of addressing the development in the mental health burden. The stakes are high – not just in terms of financial costs for both society and the healthcare sector, but particularly the human toll on patients and their loved ones. This is where bold leadership, policymaking, and innovative thinking come into play. Given the global challenges in the mental health sector, it is necessary to explore unconventional solutions through collaboration and the sharing of targeted and concrete answers to the obstacles: insufficient funding, limited treatment options, and social inequality are just few items on the list. The severity of these challenges places substantial demands on leadership and organisational responsibility when deciding on strategic treatment approaches.
Where and how can the best treatment and highest patient value be derived from initiatives and solutions in mental health? How can we shift the leadership mindset to strengthen opportunities, innovation, and new perspectives? How do we create a better foundation for prevention and early intervention, thereby reducing the prevalence and severity of mental disorders in the long term? How do we create more coherence and synergies between somatic and mental health care services?
Inequality in healthcare - Paths to more equal access in health care.
At the leadership level, the healthcare system must proactively address the increasing inequalities prevalent in the patient population and treatment offerings. As our population ages and healthcare needs grow more complex, it's imperative that we confront the disparities that exist. Whether the challenges lie in access to care based on age, geography, or socioeconomic status, the time for action is now. While technology has the potential to bridge gaps and expand access, we must also acknowledge the digital divide that still exists. And let's not forget the profound impact of social inequality on health outcomes. Dive into the complexities of healthcare leadership, exploring innovative solutions to ensure equitable access and treatment options for all.
How do we deal with the challenges that come from the increasing number of citizens with different cultural and language background? As healthcare leaders, how do we assume responsibility and take actionable steps for our overall patient population to address these disparities? What are the advantages and disadvantages of centralisation versus decentralisation, for example in terms of quality, accessibility, workforce, etc.?