Digital transformation is also shaping the world of medicine.
Currently, digital transformation is the primary force shaping the health economy and radically changing processes and business models worldwide. Our program of events at MEDICA 2018 takes this into consideration, both in presenting product ranges from over 5,000 exhibitors from 70 countries and in the spectrum of topics covered at the accompanying conferences and forums. We stay on top of these high priority topics and highlight them from different perspectives, ensuring that we consider the different target groups carefully. The communication and information platforms, MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM and MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM (including the MEDICA App Competition), organized within the scope of MEDICA, attracted over 8,000 visitors last year and will definitely be popular segments this year.

The discussions, presentations and speeches in these forums will focus on essential digitalization and IT trends such as opportunities to implement artificial intelligence, big data analysis via algorithms and cyber security measures. Innovative products and technology will also be presented - from wearable technologies and telehealth to robotics and apps.

The main strength of MEDICA is that it does not limit itself solely to clinical and practice IT and the fairly rigid framework of the national telematics infrastructure. It shows us digital trends and best practices for connecting stakeholders in the health industry that effect many nations. Already, it has become apparent that the theme of “Patient Empowerment”, i.e. the management of healthcare data being considered the responsibility of the patient, is becoming more significant this year.

You are your own doctor: E-Files are coming soon...
Following the enactment of the E-Health Act, applications for electronic patient files are being planned in Germany, in conjunction with an electronic health card. The first solutions developed by health insurance agencies, namely the electronic health records (eGA) for use on smartphones or PC, are ready to be launched and tested and are scheduled to be available soon. At the same time, leading technology and software groups in the smartphone sector want to expand the health apps in their operating systems by adding health record applications (for example, the Health Records app in iOS).

Discussions at MEDICA 2018 should result in an answer to the question of how available the service providers in the health industry will make these types of digital solutions to patients. Aspects linked to this, such as the new HL7 FHIR - the standard for mobile communication in healthcare, or the economy platform’s attack on healthcare data, will thus be dealt with in the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM, for example.

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