Bridging the Digital Health Divide: Bringing Next Generation Digital Health to Everyone

Background: A widening gap exists between the rapid advancement of digital health technologies and their actual implementation in everyday healthcare. While artificial intelligence and emerging technologies demonstrate remarkable capabilities in research settings, regulatory requirements, implementation challenges, and systemic barriers often delay or prevent these innovations from reaching the general population. This symposium explores the critical disconnect between technological potential and practical deployment in digital health. By examining the complex interplay of innovation, regulation, and real-world implementation, we aim to identify pathways to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge digital health solutions from laboratory breakthroughs to widely accessible tools that can benefit everyone.

Chaired and moderated by: Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Josef Niebauer, MBA & Andreas Stainer-Hochgatterer

Keynote Chairs: Dr. Daniela Wurhofer, Priv.-Doz. Dr. Dr. Mahdi Sareban & Dr. Tino Kulnik, MRes

Speaker:

• Prof. Dr. Albrecht Schmidt
  Professor for Human-Centered Ubiquitous Media | LMU – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Abstract:

Health is personal. It is shaped by an individual’s unique circumstances and lifestyle. New technologies are empowering people to take a more active role in their health, collaborating with healthcare professionals to manage and improve their health and well-being. Wearable devices can continuously track vital signs, sleep patterns and physical activity. Generative AI, large language, personalized visualizations and community platforms are enabling new ways of seeing and understanding data and helping to gain actionable insights. This has the potential to enable a better understanding of one’s health, and present personalized and realistic ways to actively improve the situation. In this talk, we explore how the convergence of wearable technologies, mobile health applications and generative AI is transforming health and healthcare. We discuss how it can empower patients to take greater control of their health and the implications for the role of healthcare professionals.

Speaker Bio:

• Albrecht Schmidt is a professor of computer science at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich, where he holds a chair for Human-Centered Ubiquitous Media. His research interests are in human-computer interaction, intelligent interactive systems, human centered AI, ubiquitous computing, and media informatics. He studied computer science in Ulm and Manchester and in 2003 he completed his PhD at Lancaster University. In 2018 he was inducted into the ACM SIGCHI Academy, in 2020 he was elected into Leopoldina, the Germany academy of science, and he was named ACM Fellow in 2023.

Chair: Dr. Daniela Wurhofer

Speaker:

• Dr. Leon Brudy
  Business Development Manager | Garmin Health

Abstract:

Bridging the Digital Health Divide requires many stakeholders. This presentation will provide insights into the status quo on how consumer wearables as one part of these stakeholders play a role in providing benefits in insurance, research and healthcare. Additionally, the future of data-driven insights, especially around participant enabled data sharing will be discussed. 

Speaker Bio:

• Leon Brudy works as B2B Business Development Manager at Garmin Health where he is in charge of data-driven partnerships in research and clinical trials for the regions of Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. Previously he worked as research associate at the German Heart Center Munich and the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the Technical University of Munich where he completed clinical work as part of his dissertation on physical activity, quality of life and cardiovascular risk in patients with congenital heart disease. Additionally, he’s a published author and holds academic degrees in Health Science, Political Science, and Economics.

Chair: Priv.-Doz. Dr. Dr. Mahdi Sareban

Speaker:

• Prof. Lis Neubeck, PhD, BA (Hons), RN, FRSE, FESC, FIPC (Hon.)
  Head of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health | School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University

Abstract:

This keynote explores the role of digital solutions in addressing heart problems, focusing on innovative technologies that support the management of cardiovascular disease. Digital health tools, including mobile apps, wearable devices, and telemedicine platforms, offer personalised, real-time monitoring and data-driven insights that empower patients and enhance clinical decision-making. By integrating these solutions into healthcare pathways, we can improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and alleviate burdens on healthcare systems. This session will highlight key advances, challenges, and future directions for digital interventions, emphasising their potential to transform cardiovascular care and engage patients in proactive health management. 

Speaker Bio:

• Lis Neubeck is cardiac nurse with over 25 years of experience in a range of cardiac in-patient and out-patient settings. She is Professor of Cardiovascular Health in the School of Health and Social Care and Head of the Centre for Cardiovascular Health at Edinburgh Napier University. Her research focuses on innovative solutions to secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, identification and management of atrial fibrillation, and use of digital health to improve access to health care. Lis is the NHS Research Scotland Cardiovascular Clinical Network Lead, and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) patient forum lead.

Chair: Dr. Tino Kulnik, MRes

Speakers:

• Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Josef Niebauer, MBA
  Scientific Director | Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention
• Dr.-Ing. Jan Smeddinck
  Co-Director | Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention

Abstract:

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention was established in Salzburg, Austria, in September 2019. Located at the University Institute for Sports Medicine at University Hospital Salzburg, an interdisciplinary and international research team works on a mission to develop novel digital health interventions to support rehabilitation and prevention. We currently focus on fostering sustainable heart-healthy physical activity with digital tools including personalized features, such as just-in-time adaptive interventions, continuous observation through wearable sensing devices, as well as data homogenization and analysis. 

Making use of examples and highlights of the developments from the first years of the institute, we illustrate how our work covers the full life-cycle of digital health intervention development, from stakeholder-centered ideation, over implementations and early formative evaluations to running ambitious studies including measures of physiological and medical outcomes. We will also provide examples of how the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention integrates Open Innovation in Science approaches across nearly all activities in order to assure well-guided human-centric and impact-oriented research and development.

Speaker Bios:

• Josef Niebauer is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Sports Medicine, Sports Cardiology, Rehabilitation. He is Chief and University Chair of the Institute of Sports Medicine, Prevention and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria, Director of our LBI-DHP, and Director of the Rehab Center Salzburg. He is also the President of the Austrian Association of Prevention and Rehabilitation, Past-President of the Austrian Society of Sports Medicine and Prevention as well as Past-Chair of the Sections of Sports Cardiology of the Austrian, German and European Societies of Cardiology. He received his medical training in Mainz, Germany; Vienna, Austria; Dijon, France; Tarabuco, Bolivia; Dumaguete, Philippines; Chicago, Il., USA; Sydney, NSW, Australia; his specialist training at the Universities of Heidelberg, Germany; Stanford University, CA, USA; Royal Brompton Hospital, Imperial College, University of London, UK; Leipzig, Germany; and training for his MBA at the Universities of Salzburg, Toronto, Canada; Marburg and Trier, Germany. His research interests lie in the fields of exercise training in cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases; effect on endothelial function, oxidative stress, metabolism, muscular adaptation, and pre-participation examination in athletes. He is author of >350 manuscripts in national and international journals, and editor of 5 books.
• Jan Smeddinck: Building on his background in interaction design, human computation, serious games, web technologies, adaptive systems, machine learning, and visual effects, Jan Smeddinck is a human-computer interaction (HCI) researcher and practitioner with a passion for digital health. He is the current scientific Co-Director and Principal Investigator for the programme lines in digital health interventions and data analytics at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention.

Speaker:

• Helene Prenner
  Program Manager | ELGA GmbH

Abstract:

Within the talk “ELGA and Beyond: Balancing Austria’s Digital Health Priorities and European Regulations“ Helene Prenner from ELGA GmbH provides an overview of Austrias digital health ecosystem ELGA and how it is impacted by the new Austrian e-health and the European Health Data Space regulation. The talk will detail how Austria’s national goals are reshaping ELGA’s functionalities, adapting it to meet both domestic priorities and EU regulatory demands. A major focus will be the European Health Data Space (EHDS), its transformative impact on ELGA, and how it interlinks with broader European initiatives aimed at data integration and patient access. discuss the anticipated regulatory and technical adjustments that ELGA will undergo as Austria strives to align with EHDS standards while enhancing interoperability, data security, and user accessibility.

Speaker Bio:

• Helene Prenner is a health economist and has been Program and Project Manager at ELGA GmbH since 2019, where she also leads the Competence Center for International Projects. She is a supervisory board member of ELGA GmbH, a board member of the Data Intelligence Offensive, and the founder and Secretary General of „YAHVOI – Young Austrian Healthcare Voices.“ With extensive experience in digital health and international collaborations, Helene works on advancing Austria’s e-health landscape, ensuring alignment with European regulations while enhancing data interoperability and accessibility within the healthcare system.

Speaker:

• Dr. Alexander Kollmann
  eHealth Representative of the Province of Salzburg | Land Salzburg

Abstract:

Salzburg’s digital healthcare landscape continues to evolve, driven by the region’s commitment to modernizing healthcare through technology. Key initiatives include the eHealth strategy, which aims to improve patient care and streamline healthcare services through digital solutions. The introduction of ELGA (Electronic Health Record), Austria’s electronic health record system, ensures secure access to patient data for both healthcare providers and patients. Telemedicine is becoming increasingly important, offering remote consultations and home monitoring. Looking to the future, Salzburg continues to focus on expanding its digital healthcare infrastructure and integrating innovative digital healthcare services to meet future healthcare needs.

Speaker Bio:

• Alexander Kollmann is an expert in eHealth and digital health systems, currently involved in the further development of ELGA (Electronic Health Record Austria). In his role as eHealth Coordinator for the state of Salzburg, he brings extensive experience in health and medical technology. His focus is on improving patient care and data integration through digital solutions. Alexander is passionate about enhancing healthcare accessibility and works to bridge the gap between technology and clinical practice, driving the future of health information systems in Salzburg.

Panelists:

• Univ.-Doz. Dr. Siegfried Reich
  Managing Director and Head of Research | Salzburg Research
• Univ.-Prof. Mag. DDr. Susanne Ring-Dimitrou
  Professor | Department of Sport and Exercise Science | Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS)
• ao. Univ.-Prof. OA Dr. Janne Cadamuro EuSpLM, LFHCfS
  AI Representative & Head of Department of Laboratory Medicine | University Hospital Salzburg (SALK) & Paracelsus Medical University (PMU)
• DI (FH) Angelika Rzepka, MPH
  Scientist | Digital Health Information Systems | AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
• FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Geja Oostingh
  Head of Research Health Sciences | FH Salzburg
• Priv.-Doz. Dr. Gunnar Treff
  Senior Post-Doc | Paracelsus Medical University (PMU)

Moderated by:

• Mag. Romana Ruda, MA MBA
  Managing Director | Future Health Lab

Speaker Bios:

• Siegfried Reich has been director of Salzburg Research since 2002. Salzburg Research is a non-profit research and technology organization (RTO) specialising in applied research in information and communication technologies (ICTs). He earned his MSc in applied computer science from the University of Linz (1992), a PhD in computer science and economics from the University of Vienna (1995) and a habilitation from the University of Linz (2000). From 1996 to 1999, he worked as a lecturer and researcher with the Multimedia Research Group at Southampton, U.K., focusing on open hypermedia system interoperability and Web application infrastructures. In these fields, he has published over 100 international papers and has headed many conferences and workshops.
• Susanne Ring-Dimitrou is a full professor in sport science: exercise and health at the Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences. She finished a post graduate study at The German Sports University Cologne, where she received her PhD in Sport Science (Cologne, Germany). After her stay at the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education of the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, she received the doctoral degree in Medical Science at the Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg with her thesis on Gene-Lifestyle and Trainability. Susanne devoted her career to the impact of physical activity and physical fitness on health, targeting untrained adults and children with metabolic and cardiovascular risk (Paracelsus 10.000 Study, HEPA-Salzburg, easykids). In this regard she co-evaluated the outcome of an ICT-oriented programs to improve an active lifestyle in elderly (ZentrAAL, Care-in-Movement, Fit4AAL). She serves as a journal reviewer, is a member of sport science associations (ECSS, dvs, ÖSG), the Austrian Public Health Association (ÖGPH), a board member of the European Childhood Obesity Group (ECOG) and has published more than 170 articles. The latest activities point toward the implementation of a new Bachelor-Curriculum on Nutrition-Movement-Health at the University of Salzburg (Start: Winter 2022/23).
• Janne Cadamuro is an Associate Professor (a.o. Univ-Prof.) and currently serves as the interim head of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Austria. His research interest lies in the field of the extra-analytical phase of the total testing  process, including laboratory demand management and artificial intelligence. He is the founder and chair of the section „Extraanalytical Phase“ of the Austrian Society of Laboratory Medicine (ÖGLMKC). Internationally, Dr. Cadamuro currently chairs the Working Group Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE) of the European Federation of Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) and is a member in the EFLM Working Group „Artificial Intelligence“ as well as in the EFLM Working Group “Postanalytical Phase”. Recently he was appointed as the medical officer for artificial intelligence of the University Hospital Salzburg. Dr. Cadamuro’s research contributions include 130 publications, >2500 citations, and an h-index of 28. He serves as a section editor for „Biochemia Medica“ and as an assistant editor for „Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine“ and the „Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicine“.
• Angelika Rzepka is a researcher at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, specializing in digital health information systems. She coordinates projects focused on integrated care, aiming to improve healthcare delivery by connecting various healthcare services through digital solutions. With expertise in developing and managing innovative health IT projects, Angelika’s work enhances patient care by streamlining communication and data sharing across healthcare sectors and professions. She focuses on advancing the digital transformation of healthcare systems, ensuring better care coordination and outcomes.
• Geja Oostingh studied biomedical sciences in the Netherlands and after several years as a tissue typing analyst in the Leiden University Medical Centre, she went to Cambridge (UK) to work on a PhD project. Two PostDoc positions were held in Würzburg in the field of immunology, followed by a position as junior professor at the University of Salzburg. Since 2012, Geja Oostingh is head of the degree course biomedical sciences at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. Since 2 years, she also works at this institute as the head of research for the department health sciences.
• Gunnar Treff is a senior scientist at the Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg (PMU). His main research interest is the personalization of rehabilitation through experimental and innovative approaches and methods. After earning a diploma in music, Gunnar studied media and communication sciences and sports science at the University of Göttingen. He then specialised in exercise physiology (University of Ulm). There he worked as both a therapist and a researcher and became an accepted expert especially in the field of cardiopulmonary exercise physiology and high-performance sport. He was one of the first to evaluate the impact of everyday physical activity for gains in fitness and to quantify sedentary behaviour in endurance athletes. As a result of his long association with rehabilitation and interest in health aspects, Gunnar moved to Salzburg in 2021 where he was given the opportunity to further develop rehabilitation research. Here he brings his expertise in physiology to multidisciplinary projects at the LBI-DHP and promotes collaboration between PMU, the University Hospital Salzburg, other academic institutions in the region, and the national Reha-Hub Consortium of the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft. Gunnar is also a consultant for exercise physiology in the Artificial Intelligence in Rowing project at the University of Vienna that aims to predict performance by training data.
• Romana Ruda works as Managing Director at Future Health Lab. After working in the public health-care system for nearby twenty years she is convinced that the key to cope the complex challenges in the Austrian healthcare system successfully  lies in new forms of cooperations. This is what the Future Health Lab stands for: It is an innovation centre advancing the public provision of healthcare in Austria, where public institutions, leading companies, interest groups and patient representatives, healthcare professionals, innovators and research institutions come together to develop common solutions to key challenges that no organization can overcome alone. Romana studied law and holds two master degrees in “leadership, politics & management” and “digital transformation”.

Speakers:

• Victoria Hamer
  Honorary Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Fellow | Centre for Applied Health and Social Care Research | Kingston University, London, UK
• Duncan Barron, BSc MSc
  PPI Lead | Institute for Medical & Biomedical Education (IMBE) | City St George’s, University of London, UK

Abstract:

We will briefly highlight examples from the literature of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Digital Health in the UK before drawing on our own experiences.  We will discuss examples from the perspectives of both a lay contributor (Victoria) and an academic PPI Lead (Duncan).  Victoria will discuss: her reflections of being a Jury Member for the LBI’s Digital Health Idea 2023 Competition including her observations of the impact of including end users and professionals in co-developing digital concepts and draw on her experience of being a lay representative with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) highlighting examples of digital use to improve cardiac health. Both Victoria and Duncan will highlight their overlapping work with Children and Young People, including: a Digital Health workshop organised by Great Ormond Street Hospital London and a poster produced by a Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) summarising Digital Health research projects to which they had contributed.

Speaker Bios:

• Victoria Hamer grew up in Ireland, under the spell of Wexford Festival Opera, worked at Glyndebourne Opera and at the Royal Academy of Arts, then as Care Worker, prior to working at East Sussex County Council in Children’s Safeguarding. In 2011 she had a Stroke. She assists with the Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) for Kent, Surrey and Sussex, for Research into the Health of Children and Young People. Victoria is the Lay representative of the Research, Governance and Ethics Committee for the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. She co-presents teaching at City St George’s, University of London on ‘The Importance of Meaningful Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) in Research’ for both clinicians and students.
• Duncan Barron is the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Lead based in the Institute for Biomedical and Medical Research (IMBE) at City St George’s, University of London. Duncan has a broad range of experience of supporting health and social care professionals, practitioners and academics with their research including providing expert PPI advice for grant applications being prepared for UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and other nationally peer-reviewed funding schemes.  Duncan co-delivers with members of the public, training on all aspects of PPI.  Duncan and Victoria recently delivered online training on writing Plain English Summaries for funding applications.

Speaker:

• Dr. Georg Russegger
  Head of the Open Innovation in Science Center | Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft

Abstract:

As outlined in the general statement of the conference hosts, we experience a gap between the state of play of digital health technologies and their actual implementation in everyday healthcare. Open Innovation in Science (OIS) has a decade of experience in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), which is key to co-create an experienced-based learning and training environment for professionals from interdisciplinary fields and citizens (users). Shifting away from a classic user-centered design approach to a collaborative communities of projects understanding is essential to address future skills and practices in this context. Including artistic and creative ways of thinking and acting can support a transformation of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and open up gridlocked narratives of Art & Science for the future of digital health. The presentation will give an overview on pathways applying new models and methods of understanding these challenges and opportunities from the perspective of OIS.

Speaker Bio:

• Georg Russegger is the newly assigned Head of the Open Innovation in Science Center at the Ludwig Boltzmann Society. His Focus lies on Life Sciences and SSHA (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts), working on open innovation frameworks related to public engagement, diversity and inclusion, societal impact, and knowledge valorization. For ten years he led the Austrian inter-university network of Knowledge Transfer Centers in the field of SSHA for HEI (Higher Education Institutions). He has a Media Art background and holds a PhD in Media Anthropology. As a post-doctoral researcher, he worked on media-integrated knowledge cultures for several years in Tokyo (Japan). He co-developed a European Joint Masters Programme on Ludic Interfaces supported by the Life Long Learning Framework of the European Commission.