Digital health integration for equal access and a sustainable future

Join eHealth Forum 2017 in Athens, 19th to 24th October 2017

In the next few years billions of devices will be connected to the internet and the amount of data generated will be beyond our imagination. That will inevitably change our lives in all domains and health will make no exemption. This wealth of information that will derive from this data will unravel enormous potential to improve quality of life and health outcomes. Technology is progressing very fast and new innovations in machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, digital biology, neurosciences, bioengineering, drug development, individualised treatment etc., without any doubt may improve our lives, if understood and suitably incorporated. 

It is widely believed that in the international race for growth, companies and systems that are swift to encompass digital transformation will lead the way. Digitally native companies are outperforming traditional giants. They are driving customer experiences and expectations and it seems that only those companies and systems that have a distinct digital footprint will make it to the next decades. 

In the health domain, the fact that we try to apply innovative state-of-the-art technology of today in an outdated operating model originating in the 1990’s is a big issue. Invariably innovative technologies are incorporated on existing operating models whereas we need to rethink afresh. Innovation should not be limited to technology but innovative operating models should be devised. So far, regulators are trying to catch up with the technological leaps having in mind the existing operating model. The lack of understanding, the lack of a common language or common culture, the many different levels of digital competence amongst the many stakeholders are impediments to move forward. 

We embarked on eHealth Forum to promote the digital transformation of health. By creating an ecosystem around the eHealth Forum that includes community building, discussions, events, meetups, workshops, training, surveys, dissemination, partnerships, start-up nurturing, and everything else that can promote innovation uptake for all. We believe that through eHealth Forum we can foster the health leaders of the future. 

Join us in Athens for our annual event, the eHealth Forum 2017, between the 19th and the 24th of October 2017. The eHealth Forum is the only international eHealth event in the South-eastern region of the European Union. In 2016 -over 3 days- it hosted 170 speakers from 21 countries with an audience ranging from policy makers, clinicians, patients, IT specialists to the public. In 2017 we anticipate a much larger audience, and we have extended it to 6 days, including the main Conference, the International HL7 IHIC 2017 event, a Digital Health Exhibition space open to the public and a Start-up Innovation Show that will host health IT start-ups from all over Europe. We are inviting several neighbouring countries to participate in this year's conference in order to create collaboration opportunities for all sides.