Human-Centred Medicine

Prof. Dr Jochen A. Werner, the CEO of the University Hospital Essen (Germany), wants to design and form a place where technologies address specific problems, following the principle: putting the peoples’ concerns in the centre. By combining strong leadership, clear vision, innovation-driven organisational culture and right mindset of all workers, he has already created one of the most innovative hospitals in Germany. An interview with Prof. Dr Jochen A. Werner.

What does for you an “innovative hospital” mean?

We used to call an innovative hospital a “Smart Hospital” since a cross-linked platform within the public healthcare system has been launched at the University Hospital Essen. This unique communication platform enables close cooperation between a classical clinical medicine, registered doctors, rehabilitation facilities and pharmacies. Besides, from our point of view, a smart hospital must represent values like humanity, progress, medical quality and innovative approach. Economic success also should be included. The clinic walls do not determine this, but the patient outcomes do.

Digitalization also positively influences the workflow of our employees, especially of the nurses. The recently established electronic patient file, as well as the future support of robotics, is aimed at the goal: reducing the time spent on documentation and all the administrative tasks that do not affect the patients’ care directly. This unlocks more time for communication so patients can share their fears and problems with doctors. So, an innovative hospital’s intention is the well-being of patients, their relatives and the employees.

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