Successful cooperation event of IB Hochschule with the opta data Zukunfts-Stiftung at ukb

On 14.02.2024 the kick-off event for the cooperation between IB Hochschule and the opta data Zukunfts-Stiftung took place at the new rehabilitation clinic of Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (ukb). The event ran from 10:00 to 12:00 and was broadcast both in person and online. Attendance was impressively high, with about 125 guests, of whom 30 were on site and 95 participated online. Guests from healthcare, politics and the press were represented.

Thiemo Fojkar, Chairman of the Board of the Internationaler Bund, opened the event with cordial words of welcome. Prof. Dr. Axel Ekkernkamp, Medical Director and Managing Director of Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, reported on the fascinating origin story of the BG Klinikum on the Gesundheitscampus and emphasised the successful partnership with IB Hochschule.

Prof. Dr. Mariam Hartinger, President of IB Hochschule für Gesundheit und Soziales, focused on the shared DNA of IB Hochschule, the opta data Zukunfts-Stiftung and the BG Kliniken, with the common goal of developing future-oriented programmes to promote digital and transformative competencies. She underlined the need for qualified personnel and research in order to successfully apply digital applications in practice.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Druyen, President of the opta data Zukunfts-Stiftung, spoke about the system relevance of healthcare professions and emphasised the need for future-oriented programmes and continuing education within these professional groups. Prof. Dr. Alexandra Jorzig, co-developer of the Digital Health programme, addressed the challenges of healthcare in the digital age. She reported on avoidable errors in medicine, hesitancy to engage with new technologies, but also the grand possibilities of artificial intelligence and its future application under ethical and legal guardrails.

Prof. Dr. Philipp Lacour, programme director Digital Health, deepened the topic and reported on digital health applications, so-called DiGAs, as well as research to bring them to patients. He emphasised the unstoppable digitalisation and the importance of active shaping: "Digitalisation is coming either way and either we let ourselves be rolled over or we actively shape it and learn how to do it."

In video format, Prof. Dr. Ingo Schmehl, Director of the Clinic for Neurology with Stroke Unit and Early Rehabilitation, presented the "ukb brain cloud 1.0" in the rehabilitation centre.

Particularly pleasing were the broad participation and the numerous visitors, including Petra Merkel, President of the Internationaler Bund, and Karola Becker, Board of IB. Also Simone Borchardt, CDU/CSU Head of Care Affairs, and Anke Jakobs, principal of the nursing school Medizinische Akademie at ukb, were guests.

Congratulations on the successful cooperation between IB Hochschule and the opta data Zukunfts-Stiftung – a trailblazing initiative for the future of healthcare professions in times of digitalisation. The Digital Health programmes at IB Hochschule offer diverse opportunities for qualified training.