WebSummit 2024: A wake-up call for healthcare innovation
Author: Dr. Atul Gupta, Chief Medical Officer of Diagnosis & Treatment at Philips
Taking the stage at WebSummit 2024 in Lisbon, I was ready to delve into a critical conversation about the pressing challenges facing healthcare today. The world’s healthcare systems are buckling under immense strain. Rising chronic diseases, aging populations, and critical shortages of healthcare workers have brought us to a tipping point. At an event known for its forward-thinking solutions, my focus was to explore how technology can meet these challenges head-on — not just in theory, but in practical and measurable ways.
For those who aren’t familiar, WebSummit is one of the largest technology gatherings globally, a melting pot of tech people drawing over 70,000 attendees from diverse industries. It’s where innovation meets urgency, a perfect setting to discuss how the healthcare sector can navigate its way out of what often feels like a crisis without an end.
A Sobering Picture of today’s healthcare
Global healthcare systems are in trouble. Nearly half of healthcare professionals report burnout, and by 2030, we face an estimated shortfall of 10 million healthcare workers worldwide [1]. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) has over 100,000 vacancies, and waiting lists for care are growing longer each year. And in the US, physician and nurse burnout is at an all-time high — over 50% in some surveys! These aren’t just statistics — they represent delayed diagnoses, missed treatments, and lives lost.
For years, we’ve tried to “recruit our way out” of this crisis. It’s clear now that this strategy alone will not suffice. What we need is nothing short of a transformation in how we deliver care — one that leverages advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and augmented reality to bridge the gaps.
The role of technology: today and tomorrow
At Philips, we’re actively developing and deploying solutions that can make a tangible difference today. For example, in stroke care, time is brain. Delays in diagnosis or treatment lead to devastating consequences, with 2 million neurons lost every minute a stroke goes untreated. AI-driven imaging tools, cloud-based telepresence solutions, and AR guidance systems are not just promising ideas — they are actively saving lives by streamlining every step of the stroke care pathway.
Looking ahead, the future of healthcare could be profoundly reshaped by intelligent systems. Picture an operating suite where AI integrates seamlessly with AR and robotics, enabling physicians to treat complex conditions with precision and speed that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. These technologies are not just about convenience; they have the potential to drastically reduce mortality rates, improve outcomes, and make care accessible even in the most underserved areas.
The urgency of collaboration
However, technology alone isn’t the answer. The real key to success lies in collaboration. This isn’t a problem for healthcare professionals alone to solve. Clinicians, technologists, policymakers, and even patients, we all need to work together. At the summit, I was particularly struck by the perspectives of young innovators — the millennials and Gen Z’s — who are challenging our traditional ways of thinking. Their ideas are crucial as we move toward a future where technology will be an integral part of healthcare delivery.
One sobering statistic stayed with me throughout the event: half of the global population still lacks access to basic healthcare. It’s a reminder that even as we innovate, we must ensure that these advancements are scalable and equitable, reaching those who need them most.
Why this matters to you
For those of you early in your careers or considering where to make an impact, I urge you to look closely at healthcare. The challenges are daunting, but so are the opportunities to drive meaningful change. Whether it’s building algorithms to diagnose diseases earlier, designing robotic systems to extend the capabilities of healthcare teams, or rethinking patient workflows, the work you do could touch millions of lives.
At Philips, we are committed to making healthcare more inclusive, connected, and sustainable. But we can’t do it alone. If you share a vision of transforming care delivery and addressing the inequities in healthcare access, we need your expertise.
As I said to the audience at Web Summit: Innovation is not optional — it’s essential. The stakes are too high, and the time to act is now. Let’s work together to deliver solutions that not only meet today’s challenges but define the future of healthcare.
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