Introduction

The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, shaped by technological advances, policy reforms, and the collective effort of professionals from various disciplines. Recently, I had the privilege to participate in the 2nd WHO Symposium on the Future of Health Systems in a Digital Era within the WHO European Region. This two-day event offered an engaging platform to discuss the next steps in healthcare development and innovation.

How Data Can Be Used for NCDs?

One of the most pressing challenges healthcare systems face today is the management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). My presentation delved into the role of data in tackling this challenge, and I shared insights from Portuguese case studies.

How can data be used for NCDs? Case Studies from Alexandre Lourenço

Stroke Fast Track Pathways

This case study showcased how leveraging national data could contribute to process improvements for stroke care. By systematically collecting and analyzing data, we can better understand the bottlenecks and areas of improvement, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes.

Project Harmonics

The second focal point was the need to complete the stroke pathway by collecting Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in post-acute care settings. Gathering such data provides a complete picture of a patient’s journey, from clinical metrics to the quality of care received, influencing future healthcare strategies.

ROSIA – Remote Rehabilitation Service for Isolated Areas

The ROSIA project aims to develop an open platform for services and solutions through a pre-commercial procurement process. This initiative is especially crucial for isolated areas where healthcare services are not readily accessible.

Fostering Innovation in NCD Care

I concluded my presentation by underlining the imperative to create an environment encouraging innovation in NCD care. I presented two compelling initiatives that Portugal is currently undertaking:

New Organizational Models

The Local Health Units Reform in Portugal aims to bring primary healthcare and hospital services under the same umbrella. This is a pivotal step towards a more coordinated, effective healthcare system, focusing on population health and patient-centered care.

Testing and Experimentation Facility for Health AI and Robotics

This initiative aims to foster the integration of state-of-the-art AI and robotics technologies in the healthcare domain. It will boost the European healthcare industry by focusing on applicability and facilitating AI innovation’s complex and lengthy process.

Conclusion

Events like the 2nd WHO Symposium are crucial stepping stones towards a more effective, equitable, and innovative healthcare future. I’d like to thank WHO for hosting this symposium and all participants for contributing to enriching dialogues. Through these collective efforts, we can unlock new potentials and drive healthcare into a digital future, benefiting not just individual nations but the global population at large.

If you’re interested in learning more or collaborating on these initiatives, please feel free to reach out.

Let’s continue the conversation and drive innovation in healthcare!