From June 24-26, 2021, the Austrian Health Forum 2021 took place in Schladming. The Digital Health Team of the Center for Health & Bioresources was there and presented, among other things, the topics of telemonitoring in Styria, HerzMobil and therapy networks. Another highlight was the telemonitoring episode report, the first ELGA document that also integrates data of the persons involved into the national health record.
The Austrian Health Forum (AHF) is an important Austrian network of established players in the health system, from science and practice, from industry and care, supported by ministries , doctors and pharmacists. The central question of the AHF is "How do we use the opportunities of digitalisation and open up the Austrian health system for innovations quickly and sustainably right now?"
The excitement and enthusiasm at one of the first physical events since the outbreak of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was noticeable among the 150 or so participants from Austria's health policy. On the first day, the focus was on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the topic of digital health, with all its facets - the introduction of e-medication and the e-vaccination passport have paved the way for further applications in connection with ELGA. The advantage of telemedical applications and the need for increased inter-institutional and interdisciplinary cooperation were presented and discussed with various use cases. On the second day, numerous panel discussions followed, as well as workshops on the topics of "Political Design Thinking" and "Digital Treatment Pathway". The forum was concluded on the third day with a thematic focus on ethics in view of the new technical possibilities and data availability.
AIT followed the invitation of the Health Fund Styria
The Digital Health Team of the AIT Center for Health & Bioresources (CHB) was invited to present the topics of telemonitoring in Styria, HerzMobil and therapy networks at the booth of the Health Fund Styria. The AIT experts were pleased to meet many project partners in person and the opportunity to talk about the successes achieved. Angelika Rzepka, expert for digital solutions in the telehealth sector in the Digital Health Information Systems Competence Unit: "One of these highlights is the telemonitoring episode report, which is currently being submitted to the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection for regulation." She further explains "This is the first ELGA document that integrates data collected by medical professionals, such as diagnosis and therapy, as well as data collected by patients into the national health record." The report is currently being prepared for routine use by AIT experts with the application partners Tirol Kliniken and KAGes as part of HerzMobil. In the project setting, it is being adapted for the indication of chronic wounds and for diabetes monitoring.
dHealth 2022 and the ongoing dHealth Pulse Events
After the successful Austrian Health Forum 2021 in Schladming, the digital health community is now looking forward to the dHealth conference 2022, where science will play an important role alongside healthcare topics. Until then, the dHealth Pulses will take place throughout the year, regular focus events on current key topics. You can find all information on this at: https://www.dhealth.at/dhealth-pulse-series/
All information on the Austrian Health Forum can be found at: www.austrianhealthforum.at/ahf_2021/