PMU Symposium: 'How Patients with Rare Diseases Can Benefit from Technological Innovation

On Rare Disease Day, which is observed annually on February 28, a half-day symposium titled 'Rare Diseases meet Digital Sciences' was held at the Paracelsus Medical University (PMU). The event focused on how patients with rare diseases can benefit from technological innovations. It addressed the challenges and potentials of digital transformation in medicine, using rare diseases as an example. Moderated by Stefan Veigl (Salzburger Nachrichten), the event welcomed State Councilor for Health and Science, Mag. Daniela Gutschi, SALK Managing Directors Mag. Dr. Silvia Lechner, Dr. Thomas Gamsjäger, PMU Rector Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Sperl, and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jutta Horejs-Höck from PLUS University, who greeted the interested audience in the PMU auditorium. Participants used the day to exchange insights and advance interdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaboration. The central goal was to harness technological progress in healthcare with united efforts under the shared motto 'patients first!'

Renowned Speakers, Best Practice Examples, and Discussions

Renowned experts highlighted not only the aspects of care quality and efficiency but also the significance of these developments as a research stimulus and economic factor. In addition to introductory remarks on 'Medicine and AI' by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Martin Laimer from the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Dr. Alexandra Ferdin, Head of Department at the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection, and Univ.-Prof. DDr. Stefan Thurner, President of the Faculty of Complexity Science Hub, contributed significantly to the understanding of digitization in healthcare planning and provision. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Bauer, Head of the University Hospital (UK) for Dermatology and Allergology, provided innovation insights on Regenerative Medicine and New Therapies. Finally, Prof. Dr. Florian Lagler, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Martin Laimer, and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Arne Bathke from the PLUS Faculty of Digital Sciences offered exciting insights into the formation of a center for rare diseases and the potential of the digital scientific path into the future. Dr. Jörg Traub from Bayern Innovativ GmbH and Mag. Walter Haas, Managing Director of Innovation Salzburg, reported on innovations and digital transformation in healthtech. Dr. Elisabeth Häusler and Sebastian Mayr from Salzburg Research presented the potential of digital companions for people with rare diseases. Best practice examples from the University Hospital were presented by Dr. Giorgi Kuchukhidze, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Janne Cadamuro, Univ.-Prof. DDr. Alexander Gaggl, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Saskia Wortmann, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Johannes Mayr, and Dr. Georg Zimmermann.

Both symposium participants and speakers agreed: Salzburg is on a very good path to optimally care for people with rare diseases. This shared journey can only be managed together and with the help of technologies in the future.

Translated with Le Chat - Mistral AI