The CheckWare Conference 2023 was a success! Evaluations from the participants show an average score of 4.5 out of a possible 5 points! This year's theme was the experience and usefulness of digital patient involvement, and our speakers clearly incorporated this theme in all their presentations.
After a brief introduction from our CEO Heidi Blengsli Aabel, Ole Johan Kvan, unit manager for ICT coordination at Helse Sør-Øst RHF, took the stage. He gave an engaging talk about the crucial role of technology in solving the challenges we face in the healthcare sector. Considering the audience at our conferences, this hit the mark perfectly. Right after him, Robert Steen took us on a journey to find out how we can give nurses the option to work from home on Fridays. Many had been looking forward to this lecture, and with references to the welfare state and political dilemmas, we all had something to ponder.
In the parallel sessions that followed, we divided into somatics and mental health. In the somatics parallel session, we heard about Unicare, which is running the CaReScreen project. They are developing a decision support system for clinicians and patients to better determine who should receive rehabilitation after cancer, and in what form.
The AiR Rehabilitation Center told us how we could better use collected assessment data to improve treatment quality, as well as decision support for each individual patient.
Nordland Hospital followed up with the digital assistant Nora Nord, who uses both DIPS and CheckWare to organize the patients on the waiting list. Today's quote from there was "To get something you don't have, you have to do something you don't do!".
In the parallel for mental health, Trondheim municipality could share how, together with NTNU, they used CheckWare data to create a real triple win; decision support, quality improvement, and research. They gave a shining example of how data can be collected once and used for multiple purposes.
We also heard about how the National Competence Service for Substance Abuse and Psychiatry (ROP), in consultation with the Directorate of Health, is developing and piloting an assessment package intended for use in FACT teams throughout Norway.
In a joint conclusion for the day, we spoke about our own plans for using artificial intelligence as decision support and some of the possibilities we see in EG CheckWare. Vestre Viken HF closed the professional program on day one by sharing how they have accelerated the use of digital home monitoring – something relevant for many of our customers.
During the social part of the program on day 1, there was a city walk, mingling, and a lovely gala dinner with many engaging conversations.
On day two, many enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Britannia before we learned about the latest features and modules of EG CheckWare, as well as how we have integrated with several quality registries and Helsenorge.
In the parallel sessions afterwards, we once again had several excellent presentations. In the somatic parallel session, we heard Stavanger University Hospital’s experiences with developing their own forms and the use of home follow-up for patients with osteoporosis, as well as how Vestfold Hospital used digital self-treatment and coping strategies for their patients with COPD.
Also in the parallel session for mental health, Vestfold Hospital was present, this time with a presentation on guided internet treatment, specifically for eMestring alcohol, and why and how digital tools can be used in this type of treatment. Additionally, we received an outstanding presentation from the Gastrointestinal School, an interdisciplinary internet-guided treatment program for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This service is located at Haukeland University Hospital but is a nationally covered treatment program.
We thank everyone who participated for a relationship-building, educational, and inspiring conference!
Welcome back next year!
