IHE-Europe was thrilled to be part of the second edition of Athens Digital Health Week, and to join, just like last year, a vibrant community of digital health enthusiasts, innovators, and experts from across Europe. Key themes included the European Health Data Space (EHDS), interoperability, AI in healthcare, and patient-centered digital services.
IHE-Europe contributed to discussions on interoperability and the advancement of digital health standards during several sessions.
In the Medical Imaging session (Part I, Part II), aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the latest advancements and applications in medical imaging within the digital health landscape, topics covered included the integration of imaging data into electronic health records, interoperability standards specific to imaging, and the role of artificial intelligence in image analysis.
IHE-Europe facilitated industry groups that presented jointly formulated recommendations on the EHDS, focusing on testing scaling, interoperability architecture and EHR system definitions. These recommendations reflect a collaborative effort to address key interoperability challenges and ensure a structured approach to EHDS implementation. By engaging stakeholders from various sectors, the groups aim to provide practical guidance for achieving seamless and secure health data exchange across Europe.
In this context, the IHE Testing Tools for EHDS & EEHRxF session—under the EHDS Experimentation Lab—was particularly significant, as IHE-Europe showcased its testing tools, designed to ensure compliance and interoperability within the EHDS framework and the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format (EEHRxF). These tools are essential for healthcare providers and vendors aiming to implement interoperable solutions across Europe.
On the final day, the IHE-Europe Steering Committee meeting took place, providing a crucial opportunity to reflect on the key insights and knowledge exchanged throughout the event. It served as a platform for meaningful discussions and explore how ideas could be effectively translated into actionable steps for the future.
Takeaway messages
IHE-Europe’s takeaway from ADHW’s sessions is that collaboration is key to making EHDS a reality. By bringing together policymakers, healthcare providers, industry leaders, and technical experts, we are building the interoperability foundations needed for secure and seamless health data exchange across Europe. The discussions, hands-on labs, and expert panels have reinforced that standards, testing, and cooperation are essential to delivering practical and scalable solutions for the future of digital health.
