“To be able to discuss the way data must be available in the healthcare system is a great success”

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Better

Johannes, Better, Switzerland

Looking back, how would you evaluate the past year? What key milestones or challenges defined 2024 for you?

It was an incredible year. After years of investing to develop the DACH market, we are getting the first results. Particularly in the Swiss market, many have embraced our approach and the advantages of openEHR-based storage of health data. While in Germany, openEHR is mostly used in research, the approach in Switzerland is to provide acute support for treatment. And this is certainly where openEHR is best located.

What do you consider the most significant successes in your market this year, both in terms of business growth and customer impact?

Definitely the successful tender for an openEHR-based data platform at Basel University Hospital. This project is a lighthouse project with a signalling effect, similar to the project and programme at Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden. Even before the official start of the project, we are already sensing great interest from other hospitals. But this project has a regional and national impact as well! The way in which health data should be made available to the various players in the healthcare system is being openly discussed – and this in itself is a great success.

How will emerging healthcare and technology trends shape the market next year? 

The realisation that data should be the basis for decisions is not new. This has always been the law, especially in the healthcare sector. No treatment decision without first examining the patient. BUT – the possibilities with regard to the amount of data (historical data instead of snapshots) are only possible thanks to current technologies. Clinical decision support, for example, is based on two basic principles: lots of data and good data. The quality of data has been Better’s core for years. The possibility of high-performance analysis and processing of many different types of data is new. The use of LLMs (Large Language Models) will change the work of everyone involved in the treatment process. Directly but also indirectly.   

What are the key priorities and expectations for the DACH market in the next year?   

To utilise the momentum in Switzerland. To implement existing projects in the best possible way, of course, but also to win new customers throughout Switzerland with our partners. We are also targeting Germany and Austria. In addition, it is important for me to promote cooperation between various customers. The community approach is fundamental to openEHR. However, an exchange of ideas and solutions is also important at the application level. If we manage to share content, everyone benefits. Human resources are always an issue. Despite all the competition, if we also manage to work together at the content level, there will be more time and energy for the really exciting topics. 

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