Academic Health Science Systems in a Digital Age Conference – November 14th, 2024
The Chief Academic Office Group hosted the Academic Health Science Systems in a Digital Age Conference on November 14th at O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin (UCD), bringing together national and international experts to explore the transformative role of digital technologies in healthcare research, education, and patient care.
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Professor Susa Benseler, CAO - Childrens Health Ireland, Professor Anthony O'Regan, former CAO - Saolta Group, Professor Martina Hennessy, CAO - HSE Dublin + Midlands, Professor Timothy Lynch, CAO - HSE Dublin + South East, Professor Helen Whelton, Chair CAO Group, CAO - HSE South West, Professor John Laffey, CAO - HSE West + North West
The conference focused on the implementation and benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHR), the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into clinical and academic settings, and the challenges of data availability in healthcare.
The event was opened with Welcome Addresses from:
- Professor Helen Whelton, Chair of the CAO Group and Head of the College of Medicine and Health at UCC, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for the conference.
- Dr. Vida Hamilton, Regional Clinical Director for HSE Dublin and South-East, who also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of digital health initiatives.
Following the welcome addresses, Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer at HSE, delivered the Opening Remarks. He set the stage for the discussions to follow, highlighting the critical role of digital technologies in transforming healthcare systems.
Professor Helen Whelton - CAO HSE South East, Dr Colm Henry - CCO HSE, Dr Vida Hamilton - CCO HSE Dublin + South East
Session 1: Learning Health Systems and the Electronic Health Record
Chaired by Professor Timothy Lynch, CAO HSE Dublin and South East, Vice Principal for Health Affairs at UCD, and Muiris O'Connor, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health, this session explored the pivotal role of EHRs in modernizing healthcare systems. Presentations included:
- Emer Doyle, Head of Health Information Policy at the Department of Health, provided an overview of the European Health Data Space and Ireland’s Health Information Bill.
- Damien McCallion, Chief Technology & Transfer Officer at the HSE, outlined Ireland’s EHR strategy and its implementation roadmap.
- Dr. Dermot Hughes, Clinical Lead for Strategic Change at the Western Health and Social Care Trust, discussed the Encompass Programme in Northern Ireland, which integrates acute and community EHRs.
- Professor Margot Verheijen, CMIO at Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis in the Netherlands, addressed the challenges of data availability in academic clinical medicine.
A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring Derick Mitchell, CEO of IPPOSI, alongside other keynote speakers.
Professor Helen Whelton, Derick Mitchell - CEO IPOSSI, Damian McCallion - Chief Technology + Transfer Officer HSE, Dr Margot Verheijen - CMIO Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, Netherlands, Dr Dermot Hughes - Clinical Lead Strategic Change and Efficiency at Western Health + Social Care Trust, Emer Doyle - Head of Health + Information Policy Department of Health, Dr Vida Hamilton, Professor Timothy Lynch, Muiris O'Connor - Assistant Secretary DoH, Dr Colm Henry
Session 2: Digital Healthcare Supporting Clinical Research and Education
The second session, chaired by Professor Martina Hennessy (CAO, RHA Dublin & Midlands) and Professor Peter Doran (Director of UCD Clinical Research Centre), examined the intersection of digital healthcare and clinical research. Key presentations included:
- Professor Derek O’Keeffe (University of Galway) presented a vision for Digital Health 2030.
- Professor Neil O'Hare (Children's Health Ireland) discussed the complexities of EHR implementation.
- Professor Susa Benseler (Children’s Health Ireland) shared lessons learned from Canada’s EHR-based care transformation.
- Dr. Mike O’Callaghan (Irish College of General Practitioners) offered insights from 25 years of GP electronic health record use in Ireland.
- Professor Andrew Taylor (Great Ormond Street Hospital) highlighted the role of AI in healthcare, focusing on innovation and patient care.
The session concluded with a thought-provoking panel discussion, featuring leaders in data-driven training, mixed reality, and digital innovation. This panel was joined by Professor Patricia Maguire, Director of the Institute for Discovery and Director of the AI Healthcare Hub at UCD.
Professor George Shorten - UCC, Professor Andrew Taylor - Great Ormond Street, Professor Neil O'Hare - UCD, Professor Patricia Maguire - UCD, Professor Anthony O'Reagan - Medical Director NDTP, Professor Martina Hennessy - TCD, Dr Mike O'Callaghan - ICGP, Professor Susa Benseler - CHI, Professor Peter Doran - UCD, Professor Helen Whelton - UCC
Closing and Acknowledgments
Helen Whelton, CAO for HSE South-West, delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing the significance of the discussions for Ireland’s healthcare landscape, as EHR implementation advances and regional health structures continue to develop.
A special acknowledgment was made to Martina Quality, Regional Executive Officer, HSE Dublin and South-East, for her invaluable support.
This conference served as a vital platform for sharing knowledge, sparking debate, and shaping the future of healthcare in the digital age.
