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iSOFT Group Limited enhanced its reputation as a global technology thought leader at its first Ideaworks for Healthcare symposium in the Netherlands

iSOFT Group Limited, one of the world’s largest healthcare technology companies, enhanced its reputation as a global technology thought leader at its first Ideaworks for Healthcare symposium in the Netherlands, where some of the industry’s leading thinkers in innovation debated the future of healthcare IT.

Ideaworks for Healthcare Netherlands (www.ideaworksforhealthcare.nl), a local version of iSOFT ’s international Ideaworks for Healthcare concept, took place in Amsterdam on 9 February. Keynote speakers Dr  Paul Gründeman, Dr Wim Huppes and Health 2.0 Ambassador Lucien Engelen discussed the necessity to innovate in medical science, healthcare politics, and the growing role of social media.

Delegates were encouraged to embrace the future through discussion and the exchange of ideas on healthcare applications that add value to healthcare. iSOFT intends to build on the generated at the event  by developing prototypes that will be presented at the next Ideaworks.

“We were delighted to bring Ideaworks to the Netherlands, one of our most important markets globally,” said Gary Cohen, iSOFT Group Executive Chairman & CEO. “The original concept of Ideaworks was first tested in London last year, where it was a resounding success. The Netherlands has built on the Ideaworks reputation as a truly inspiring, and a fundamental part of iSOFT ’s strategy of engaging the community in the wider discussion on innovation.”

Decision-makers in healthcare

The day included two panel discussions on e-health and the man-machine interaction, and led by Professor Robert Stegwee of Twente University.

The Octopus

Keynote speaker Paul Gründeman, associate professor of experimental cardiothoracic and vascular  surgery at UMC Utrecht, spoke of his development of the Octopus, a device that has revolutionized coronary surgery.

Dr Gründeman emphasized that innovations are not always welcomed. “Changes appear to be difficult, and medical specialists are reluctant to change,” he said.  “A manager that is open to changes, excellent scientists and an environment where experimental research is welcomed is crucial.”

Patients at stake

Wim Huppes, philosopher and healthcare journalist, spoke of the politics that surround healthcare. “The government’s prescribed DBC- and Dot-system for healthcare declarations is putting patients’ wellbeing at risk,” Huppes said. “A patient is unique, and so is his disease. When doctors are only allowed to declare 3,000 healthcare products and treatments, the government is limiting possible diagnoses of the patient and the resulting treatment.” The policy he said is limiting a hospital’s ability to focus on their core business of curing patients and is limiting innovation in healthcare.

Lucien Engelen said that patients are often ahead of the specialist when it comes to e-health. “In a growing trend, patients arrive at a doctor’s office with a diagnosis of their complaints found on Google and are merely seeking confirmation.” He added that people are more likely to follow advise of social networks rather than that offered by institutes and that (the lack of) trust is the key reason for this.

“Let the patient be part of the team again,” Engelen said.  “By respecting and addressing the information needs of the patient, the doctor-patient relation can improve significantly.”

Source: iSOFT

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