In a world marked by uncertainty and economic challenges, the Vitalis conference has never been more pertinent.
5 March / 2024
With over 350 compelling sessions and over 70 of them held in english, the Vitalis conference stands out as this year’s paramount knowledge event for the future of healthcare. “We’re witnessing a surge in activity, particularly with AI solutions and data-driven healthcare. Attending this year’s conference is essential for those eager to make progress,” says Hans Almvide, the conference organizer at Vitalis.
To Vitalis conference programme »
The conference program for Vitalis 2024, the largest eHealth event in Scandinavia, will be unveiled today, March 5th. From May 14th to 16th, attendees can engage in more than 350 sessions spread across parallel tracks, encompassing over 200 hours of conferences and approximately 15 detailed workshops.
Vitalis commence on Monday, May 13th, with an Opening Keynote held in English, a collaborative effort with GCPCC, a global conference on person-centered care held alongside Vitalis. Keynote speakers include Eric Sutherland, a health economist at the OECD, and Inger Ekman, a professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy. “We aim to broaden our perspectives by leveraging insights from both conferences, fostering shared learning,” Almvide notes. Attendees are invited to a Opening Reception hosted by the City of Gothenburg and the Västra Götaland Region after the Opening Keynote.
The official opening of Vitalis will be held in Swedish and place on Tuesday, May 14th, featuring keynotes from Health Minister Acko Ankarberg Johansson and Rachel de Basso, chair of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions healthcare delegation. Contributions will also come from Johan Kaarme, head of the healthcare division at the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, and Gunilla Nordlöf, director-general of the Swedish e-Health Agency, with Daniel Forslund, the head of digitalization at the Association of Private Care Providers, moderating. “We anticipate a forward-thinking discussion, with particular focus on global uncertainties and preparedness,” Almvide predicts.
A significant emphasis will be placed on preparedness and cybersecurity throughout the conference. The responsibility for future healthcare and the national digital care infrastructure is also a current debate. “The digitalization journey has been long, reaching a point where professionals increasingly question the real benefits derived from our digital advancements. We’re now contemplating the future direction to further enhance these benefits,” Almvide explains.
Consequently, the swift advancements in AI, data-driven healthcare and social care will be prominently featured throughout the conference. One highlight is the full-day session on triage, specifically designed for doctors and nurses, with a parallel focus on social service development. “These topics are of immense interest to both local and regional authorities. Our program includes targeted content for healthcare and social care, addressing both operational and strategic needs,” Hans elaborates.
This year introduces a focus track on hospital at home, spearheaded by Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The shift towards home-based care is unmistakable, with several major hospitals actively supporting patients in their homes. “This shift signifies a pivotal part of healthcare’s transition towards more accessible services. The innovation here is the provision of 24/7 hospital-level care at home, fully managed by the originating clinic team,” Almvide shares. Boubou Hallberg, a hospital manager, will participate in this session, with Professor Daniel Lasserson from the UK’s NHS as the invited keynote speaker.
Hans emphasizes the critical role of digitalization amidst financial constraints faced by regions and municipalities: “The keen interest in this year’s Vitalis underscores a growing recognition of the importance of utilizing collected data. AI’s potential to streamline scheduling, enhance diagnostic processes, and accelerate cancer detection is increasingly acknowledged.” He advocates for active engagement and knowledge acquisition across all levels of decision-making, from political leaders to clinicians and technical staff. “Staying informed about new technologies, governance, and best practices is vital. Actively engaging with the latest knowledge, opportunities, and feedback is best achieved at Vitalis, the quintessential forum for these discussions.”
The Vitalis conference focuses on the major future questions in healthcare. World-leading expertise and research are interwoven with knowledge transfer and successful examples that inspire and drive the necessary development towards the healthcare of the future.