ACTIONS Archives

6 Awards for Kapa3 at the 4th Vouliagmeni Summer Crossing: Is There Such a Thing as a “Lonely Race”?

The Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 participated with great joy and emotion in the 4th Vouliagmeni Summer Swimming Crossing, an important sports and community event organised by the Vouliagmeni Nautical Club.

This year’s participation was particularly meaningful for all of us. The Kapa3 team received 6 awards, sharing a powerful message of participation, endurance, empowerment and togetherness.

But beyond the awards, what we hold most deeply is the message:

Is there really such a thing as a “lonely race”?

For us at Kapa3, the answer lies in our choice. And our choice is togetherness.

Despoina brought the idea — and much more.
Eirini stayed until the very end.

Leoni, Kalliopi, Giorgos, Christoforos, Athina, Christiana and Aria stood together as a true Winning Team.

They competed in every category, participated in every activity, informed, supported and left their own mark of empowerment, endurance and hope.

Leoni, Kalliopi, Giorgos, Christoforos, Athina, Christiana and Aria stood together as a true Winning Team.

They competed in every category, participated in every activity, informed, supported and left their own mark of empowerment, endurance and hope.

For Kapa3, the 6 awards are not only an athletic distinction. They are a symbol. They represent the power of effort, the importance of persistence and the value of community in every difficult journey.

ust as in the sea, the cancer journey requires rhythm, breath, emotional strength and people by our side. Even when a struggle feels personal, it does not have to be — and should never be — lonely.

Kapa3’s participation in the Vouliagmeni Crossing was an act of presence and awareness. It was a way to remind everyone that support for cancer patients, caregivers and families is not limited to information or access to rights and services. It is also about creating a community that stands beside people, encourages them and reminds them that they are not alone.

The sea carries a powerful symbolism. It represents the journey, uncertainty, effort, endurance, but also freedom. Every participant in the Crossing carries their own story, their own effort and their own path. For us at Kapa3, this image is deeply connected to the experience of people affected by cancer.

At Kapa3, we know that the experience of cancer is not limited to treatment. It is connected to everyday life, emotional resilience, access to information, rights, social benefits, transportation, work, family, uncertainty and the need for human presence.

This is why every community action we participate in has a dual purpose: to inform and to unite. To make visible the need for equal access to care, while also reminding everyone that support is not an abstract concept. It is presence. It is care. It is listening. It is guidance. It is the hand that helps someone keep going.

The 4th Vouliagmeni Summer Crossing was another moment of outreach, participation and empowerment for Kapa3. A moment that showed that strength is not found only at the finish line, but also in the decision to start, to try and to keep going.

We are grateful for the support, the care, the participation and the result.

We warmly thank the Vouliagmeni Nautical Club for organising the event, as well as everyone who participated, supported and stood beside us in this initiative.

We continue to choose togetherness at Kapa3.

Because even when a race is individual, it should never be lonely.

Alpha Bank and Its Employees Support Kapa3 through the Match for Good Initiative

The Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 warmly thanks Alpha Bank and its employees for their meaningful support through the Match for Good initiative, through which Alpha Bank doubled the contribution of its employees.

Through this initiative, six non-profit organisations from across Greece received financial support during a special event held at Alpha Bank’s headquarters, in the presence of representatives of the organisations. The event was hosted by the Chairman of Alpha Bank’s Board of Directors, Mr. Dimitris Tsitsiragos, and the Chief Human Resources Officer, Ms. Fragiski Melissa.

Mr. Dimitris Tsitsiragos highlighted that the Match for Good initiative puts into practice Alpha Bank’s commitment to consistently support organisations that create a positive social impact. He underlined that when the individual contribution of employees is combined with the Bank’s support, it becomes a collective force with tangible results.

Ms. Fragiski Melissa noted that Match for Good reflects the Bank’s new culture in practice, giving employees an active role in selecting, participating in and supporting initiatives with social value.

Kapa3 was represented by Ms. Evangeli Bista, co-founder of the Organisation, and Ms. Despoina Chrysostomidou, collaborating psychologist. During the event, they had the opportunity to present Kapa3’s work and discuss the social impact that can be created when corporate responsibility meets the active participation of employees.

For all of us at Kapa3, this support is particularly meaningful. It strengthens our daily effort to stand beside people with lived experience of cancer, as well as their families and caregivers, offering guidance, information, support in accessing rights and services, and practical empowerment tools.

Kapa3 acts as a navigation and support organisation for cancer patients, bridging the gap between need and information, between rights and real access. For many people, especially those living outside major urban centres, the challenge is not only the disease itself. It is uncertainty, bureaucracy, lack of information about available rights, financial burden, transportation difficulties, psychosocial pressure and the need for a reliable companion.

Through initiatives like this, social contribution gains multiplying power and becomes real support for those who need it. The support of Alpha Bank and its employees strengthens Kapa3’s mission: ensuring that no person is left alone when facing cancer, searching for information, navigating procedures or claiming a right they are entitled to.

Health is not only a medical act. It is access, information, dignity, social care and meaningful presence. Every contribution to Kapa3 becomes more guidance, more information, more empowerment and more care for people and families going through a difficult and demanding journey.

We warmly thank Alpha Bank and its employees for their trust, choice and support of Kapa3’s work.

Because when giving becomes collective, it can meaningfully change people’s everyday lives.

20260310 Match For Good Programme Part2 Alpha Bank Via Solid Havas / Thalia Galanopoulou

Match for Good – Alpha Bank (1)

Kapa3 in the second half of March – Early April: Access, Innovation and Support

During the second half of March and the first days of April, Kapa3 continued to strengthen access to care for people living with cancer and their families, connecting innovation with meaningful, human-centred support.

Patient Rights

Recent changes in the distribution of high-cost medicines (FYK) through EOPYY and private pharmacies are reshaping how patients access their treatment. Kapa3 supports patients and caregivers by providing clear information, helping them navigate procedures more effectively and ensuring continuity of care.

Digital Health & Public Services

Digital governance in Greece is entering a new phase, with the mandatory acceptance of electronic documents by public sector bodies. The use of qualified electronic signatures and seals gives documents full legal validity, simplifying processes and significantly reducing bureaucracy for patients and healthcare professionals.

Actions & Events

Kapa3 actively participated in the 6th Nursing Two-Day Conference of Western Macedonia, focusing on the balance between technology and human connection in healthcare. The organisation highlighted the importance of patient navigation, digital health, and the voice of patients and caregivers in shaping a more accessible and human-centred care system.

In addition, through an interview on DION TV, Kapa3 emphasised the role of social support in practice, underlining that effective support goes beyond information — it includes guidance, understanding, and presence within a complex healthcare system. The discussion also introduced “Myrto”, the digital assistant being developed to support patients and caregivers in their daily needs.

Collaborations

Kapa3 joined the Hellenic Digital Health Cluster (HDHC), strengthening its connection with innovation, technology, and a growing network of organisations, businesses, and research institutions. This collaboration enhances opportunities for more coordinated, modern, and accessible healthcare services.

Awareness

On the occasion of World Social Work Day (March 27), the critical role of social workers in healthcare and oncology was highlighted. Despite their recognised importance, gaps and inequalities in social services continue to affect access to care, making the strengthening of community-based support essential.

Support Our Work

A new collection of handmade scarves, wraps, and shawls brings a touch of spring while supporting a meaningful cause. Created using techniques such as low immersion dyeing and botanical (eco) printing, each piece is unique.

Leaves, flowers, and natural dyes are imprinted on the fabrics, creating one-of-a-kind designs. From silk scarves made from Greek silk to lightweight wraps, each item combines elegance with authenticity.

With every purchase, you actively support Kapa3’s initiatives for people living with cancer and their families.

Kapa3 remains active, promoting support and accessibility in care — more updates are on the way.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Kapa3 Collaboration with the Municipality of Meteora to Establish a Cancer Patient Support Office

Kapa3 launches collaboration with the Municipality of Meteora to establish a support office for cancer patients and their families, strengthening local social services and providing practical assistance to patients and families affected by cancer.

The initiative for this establishment was taken by the Municipality of Meteora and approved by the Municipal Council, aiming to improve access to services and information for patients. The office will operate within the Kalampaka Community Center and will be staffed by a social worker and a psychologist, in collaboration with the “Help at Home” program.

The Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 will provide scientific guidance and prepare the tools and methodologies for the office’s operation, including collecting social histories, recording requests, and guiding patients and their families.

This office, as a support office for cancer patients, will offer free services such as:

Guidance on rights and benefits (KEPA, social tariffs, work schedule adjustments, allowances).
Patient file management to reduce bureaucratic burden.
Social and psychosocial support for patients and families.
Collaboration with local social and health services.

In addition, the support office will act as an information hub for the local community, providing interested individuals with information on prevention, awareness programs, and solidarity initiatives. In this way, it enhances not only the direct support for patients but also the wider community’s awareness and engagement with the needs of their fellow citizens.

In a statement, Mayor Lefteris Avramopoulos emphasizes:

“The establishment of the Patient Service Office for Neoplastic Diseases is a policy choice focused on people. The Municipality of Meteora takes responsibility to stand truly beside our fellow citizens, ensuring support, dignity, and effective access to their rights.”

The goal of the collaboration is to ensure timely and equitable access for cancer patients and their caregivers to reliable information and supportive services, reducing the stress and psychosocial burden often accompanying the disease.

Kapa3, with experience in patient guidance across Greece and an already functioning similar structure in the Municipality of Megara, continues to expand its network of collaborations with local authorities, strengthening the connection between social services and patients.

The collaboration with the Municipality of Meteora represents another step toward creating a stable framework for supporting cancer patients at a regional level, focusing on people and their real needs.

Download our press release in pdf or word

Continuing the Journey: Online Group Sessions for Mental Health and Nutrition – Third Cycle with Kapa3 and the LB.H.Sc

Following the warm response to the second cycle of meetings (see the related article here ), focusing on Nutritional Guidance and Experiential Psychological Support, Kapa3 and the Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences (LB.H.Sc), Department of Nursing University of Peloponnese are delighted to continue their collaboration with a third series of online group sessions for mental health and nutrition, dedicated to the holistic care of body and mind, designed for people living with cancer and their caregivers.

In this third cycle, mental health and nutrition are approached as two complementary sides of the same care.

The mental health sessions help participants recognize and manage challenging emotions such as anxiety, fear, sadness, or guilt, strengthen resilience, and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and others.

The nutrition sessions explore how mindful and balanced eating can support the body, improve energy and mood, and become a meaningful act of self-care. Food is not only a necessity but also a way to nurture the body, mind, and spirit.

Program of Online Sessions for Mental Health and Nutrition & Themes

Saturday, February 28, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Myths and truths about “anti-cancer” diets. How to evaluate nutritional information and avoid risky practices.
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Stress and uncertainty: practical ways to manage them during treatments and exams.
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Giving space to emotions without being overwhelmed: recognizing and expressing fear, anger, sadness, and guilt.
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Nutritional support during treatment & the role of cachexia.
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Boundaries without guilt: protecting energy and mental resilience.
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Safe cooking practices & kitchen hygiene.
Saturday, May 23, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Family and illness: changes in relationships and ways to support each other.
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 17:30–19:00
The Tree of Life: who I am beyond the illness.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 17:30–19:00
What gives meaning to life now: discovering small but meaningful elements that sustain us.

Format & Participation

The meetings are held online, based on dialogue, experiential learning, and the sharing of personal experiences. Everyone participates at their own pace, in a warm environment of acceptance and trust. Consistent attendance helps build safety and confidence within the group.

To express your interest or join the first session of the third cycle (Saturday, February 28, 17:30–19:00): [Registration Link]

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the fight against cancer.The European Cancer Organisation’s “Harnessing AI for Cancer Care in Europe” report

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the fight against cancer, enabling machines to learn, reason, and assist humans in detecting, diagnosing and treating the disease more accurately and efficiently. It works by analysing vast amounts of data, learning patterns, and making predictions or recommendations to support human decision-making.

Cancer care is rapidly transforming with the use of AI, which serves as a powerful tool in prevention, detection, treatment and research of the disease. The European Cancer Organisation’s “Harnessing AI for Cancer Care in Europe” report states that AI has the potential to transform every stage of the cancer pathway. Simultaneously, the report emphasises the need for AI to be used responsibly, by protecting patients, upholding ethical standards, and aligning with European values, to ensure its benefits are delivered fairly and effectively across healthcare systems.

The Promise of AI in Cancer Care

The report highlights several ways AI can improve cancer outcomes across the care pathway. In primary prevention, AI can analyse genetic, environmental, and lifestyle data to identify high-risk patients and guide preventive strategies before symptoms appear. For early detection, AI can dramatically speed up screening, reducing test interpretation from days to hours, improving accuracy, and lowering missed diagnoses. In diagnostics, deep-learning models trained on large datasets can detect even the smallest lesions, prioritise urgent cases, and support more precise diagnoses. AI also enables personalised treatment by integrating tumour genomics, imaging data, and real-world outcomes to help clinicians select the most effective therapies for individual patients. Finally, in drug development, AI can identify promising compounds and targets, shortening traditional development cycles and discovering new uses for existing medicines.

Challenges That Cannot Be Ignored

However, the report also highlights significant risks associated with AI in cancer care. Key concerns include regulatory gaps as AI tools advance faster than current rules, making it challenging to ensure they remain safe, accurate, and accountable. Many promising AI systems require further validation in real-world clinical settings, as untested tools could lead to misdiagnoses or unsafe decisions. Bias and inequity are also risks, since AI trained on unrepresentative data may produce less accurate recommendations for specific patient groups. Implementation barriers, such as limited infrastructure, funding, and trained staff, can hinder the integration of AI into everyday healthcare. Finally, trust issues may arise, as both patients and clinicians need to understand and have confidence in AI systems for them to be effectively adopted.

Policy Recommendations: A Roadmap for Safe and Effective Use

To tackle these challenges, the report puts forward four key recommendations. First, it calls for national standards and validation frameworks, including speciality-specific rules and post-market monitoring of AI tools. Second, it emphasises the importance of training and literacy, proposing pan-European AI education to ensure that at least 50% of oncology professionals are confident in using AI by 2030. Third, the report urges robust regulatory guidance and oversight, including EU-wide support for data protection under GDPR, implementation of the AI Act, and strong patient engagement to ensure clinical accountability. Finally, it highlights the need for investment in data infrastructure, leveraging the European Health Data Space to harmonise systems, modernise cancer registries, and build representative datasets that support safe and effective AI deployment.

Why This Matters for Kapa3

Building on these advancements, K3 is preparing to launch its digital assistant, “Myrto”, in 2026. Designed to harness the power of AI, “Myrto” will support patients and healthcare professionals across the cancer care pathway. By integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities with user-friendly guidance, “Myrto” exemplifies K3’s commitment to improving outcomes, streamlining workflows, and empowering both patients and clinicians in Europe’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

To see the full article, please click here.

https://www.europeancancer.org/resources/publications/harnessing-ai-for-cancer-care-in-europe.html

This Year’s Good-Luck Charm (2026): A Symbol of Self-Care

The Good Luck Charm of the Year (2026) for Kapa3: The Crown

A Symbol of Self-Care

This year’s good luck charm is dedicated to self-care — a small, daily reminder of the deep importance of tending to ourselves with gentleness, respect, and consistency.
In a time when everyday life becomes increasingly demanding, this charm reminds us that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity.

It symbolizes all those small acts that keep us standing: the pause, the breath, the moment of rest; the warm embrace we offer ourselves. The choice to listen to our bodies, to acknowledge our limits, and to prioritize our health, joy, and inner balance.

And it is precisely this “pause” that led us to our good-luck charm for 2026: the Crown — a symbol that carries far more than what meets the eye.

In music, the crown (fermata) is the pause held by the performer —
the moment of emphasis before the melody continues.
So it is with every struggle: it requires breaths, pauses, small breaks — not to stop, but to continue.

A crown is also a circle. And a circle means you are not alone; around you are people, care, support — a circle that holds you.

If there were a title of honor for those who fight cancer, it would be a crown. Not as a symbol of power, but as a recognition of dignity.

Cancer can sometimes feel like a thorny wreath — heavy, painful, relentless.
And yet, depending on how we choose to face it, it can transform into a wreath of victory: the victory of persistence, endurance, return — and above all, the victory of effort.

Because behind every crown lies a story: of a parent, a friend, a child, a partner, someone who is fighting or supporting someone who fights.

That is why the crown is not just a piece of jewelry — it is a message of strength:

It is not what happens to us that defines us —
but how we choose to face it.

It reminds us that when we care for ourselves, we can truly care for others. That strength, well-being, and kindness begin within us.

May this year’s charm be a small talisman accompanying us each day, inspiring us to make space for what nourishes us, to embrace our vulnerability, and to celebrate our worth.

For a year filled with more care, more peace, and more love — beginning with ourselves.

Let’s fill our days with small acts that make a difference.
Let’s uplift one another.
Let’s turn self-care into a habit.

And for all of us at Kapa3, the invitation is simple: To weave self-care into our everyday lives.

Join the #kapa3gouri Self-Care Challenge

Inspired by this year’s charm — dedicated to self-care — we invite you to join the #kapa3gouri Self-Care Challenge, a collective action that brings us together through moments of care, calm, and mindfulness.

How the challenge works:

Take one small self-care action during your day.
It can be something simple: a walk, a breathing break, a warm cup of tea, a few minutes away from screens, journaling your thoughts, a hug you needed.
Capture a photo or write a few words that reflect that moment.
Share it on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #kapa3gouri.
Tag two friends to keep the chain of self-care going.

Our goal is not the “perfect” image — but the daily reminder that we deserve time, space, and care. Each post becomes a small mosaic of tenderness toward ourselves.
A collective message that wellbeing begins within.

For 2026, choose the Crown — as a symbol of hope, strength, and dignity.
Wear it. Offer it. Share its power.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

The Kapa3 Team

Continuing the Journey: Holistic Body and Mind Care with Kapa3 and the University of the Peloponnese

After the first round of meetings held in April (see the related article here), focusing on Nutritional Guidance and Experiential Psychological Support, Kapa3 and the University of the Peloponnese continue their collaboration with a new series of experiential workshops dedicated to the holistic care of body and mind.

The meetings are open to people living with cancer, caregivers, and healthcare professionals — to anyone seeking a space for genuine communication, understanding, and empowerment.

In this new cycle, mental health and nutrition are approached as two sides of the same care.

In the mental health sessions, participants learn to recognize and manage challenging emotions such as anxiety or fear, strengthen their resilience, and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and others.

At the same time, the nutrition sessions explore how balanced and mindful eating can support the body, enhance energy and mood, and become an act of self-care and self-respect. Food is not only a necessity but also a way to show love — to the body, the soul, and to life itself.

The meetings are held online and are based on dialogue, experiential learning, and the sharing of personal experiences. Everyone participates at their own pace, in a warm environment of acceptance and trust.

To express your interest: Registration Form for the Support Group for People with Cancer

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia for Kapa3

Melodic, A New European Project Supporting the Mental Health of Young Adults with Cancer

At Kapa3, we know that healing goes far beyond the body. A cancer diagnosis in young
adulthood — just as life is beginning to unfold — often leaves deep emotional marks. That’s
why we’re proud to participate in MELODIC, a new European initiative dedicated to
supporting the mental health of young adults (18–30) living with or after cancer.

The project Melodic brings together 13 partners from 6 European countries, including patient organizations, universities, and healthcare experts. Coordinated by Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland), MELODIC aims to co-design innovative digital tools, peer
support models, and educational workshops that reflect the actual needs and voices of
young people affected by cancer.

Kapa3 joined the project in 2024, and our role is to bring Greek patients’ perspectives to
the table while also ensuring that everything we co-create reaches the people who need it
most — especially here in Greece.

We believe that mental well-being is not a luxury, but a vital part of cancer care. Over the next two years, we’ll be working closely with survivors, caregivers, professionals, and youth groups to build safe spaces for expression, support, and growth.

Want to learn more? Visit our website and check out the new MELODIC subpage to see how
we’re working to make a difference — and how you can get involved.

Together, we can make mental health care more humane, inclusive, and empowering.
Because no one should face cancer — or life after it — alone.

Read more on Melodic project: Melodic Project Mental Health on YAC

Digital transformation: Health systems’ investment priorities

Health systems around the world are facing a host of challenges, including rising costs, clinical-workforce shortages, aging populations requiring more care (for example, to treat chronic conditions), and increasing competition from nontraditional players.1 At the same time, consumers are expecting new capabilities (such as digital scheduling and telemedicine) and better experiences from health systems across their end-to-end care journeys.2 In response, health systems are increasing their focus on digital and AI transformation to meet consumer demands, address workforce challenges, reduce costs, and enhance the overall quality of care.3 However, despite acknowledging the importance of these efforts to future sustainability, many health system executives say their organizations are still not investing enough.

AI, traditional machine learning, and deep learning are projected to result in net savings of up to $360 billion in healthcare spending.

AI, traditional machine learning, and deep learning are projected to result in net savings of $200 billion to $360 billion in healthcare spending.4 But are health systems investing to capture these opportunities? We recently surveyed 200 global health system executives about their digital investment priorities and progress.5 Seventy-five percent of respondents reported their organizations place a high priority on digital and analytics transformation but lack sufficient resources or planning in this area.

Increasing prioritization

In line with other industries, the majority (nearly 90 percent) of health system executives surveyed, in both technical roles (such as chief information officer or chief technology officer) and nontechnical roles (for example, CEO or CFO), reported that a digital and AI transformation is a high or top priority for their organization. At the same time, 75 percent of respondents reported their organizations are not yet able to deliver on that priority because they have not sufficiently planned or allocated the necessary resources.

Health system digital investment priority areas and anticipated impact

For health system executives, current investment priorities do not always align with areas they believe could have the most impact. There is alignment in some areas, including virtual health and digital front doors, where about 70 percent of respondents expect the highest impact.1 In other areas, such as AI, 88 percent of respondents reported a high potential impact,2 yet about 20 percent of respondents do not plan to invest in the next two years. The absence of investment in a robust, modern data and analytics platform could delay value creation in areas that depend on these capabilities—such as efforts to close gaps in care, improve timely access for referrals, and optimize operating room throughput.

Major headwinds and slow progress

Given the current macroeconomic climate and increasing cost pressures on health systems, most respondents identified budget constraints as a key obstacle to investing at scale across all digital and AI categories of interest (51 percent of respondents ranked this obstacle among the top three). For example, a health system that is building a digital front door may lack the resources to simultaneously invest in the latest generative AI (gen AI) capabilities.

Respondents called out challenges with legacy systems as the second-greatest concern (after budget constraints). Core tech modernization is key to delivering on the digital promise,1 but health systems have typically relied on a smaller set of monolithic systems that have become a challenge to untangle.

Additional highly ranked challenges include data quality (33 percent), tech talent and recruiting (30 percent), and readiness to adopt and scale new technology (34 percent).

Satisfaction with digital investment

Most executives of health systems that have invested in digital priorities (72 percent) reported satisfaction across all investment areas. Among the comparatively fewer respondents who reported investing in robotics and advanced analytics, satisfaction was even higher, at 82 percent and 81 percent, respectively. Given that investments result in a high level of satisfaction and that 75 percent of executives reported they are not yet able to deliver on their digital transformation ambitions (as noted above), health systems may be facing a failure to scale their digital programs.

What health systems can do and how they can learn from other industries

The goal of digital and AI transformation is to fundamentally rewire how an organization operates, building capabilities to drive tangible business value (such as patient acquisition and experience, clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and workforce experience and retention) through continuous innovation. Delivering digital value for health systems requires investment and new ways of working.

Building partnerships. Scale is crucial to value creation. But the definition of at-scale systems has changed in the past few years; today, it takes more than $13 billion to be a top 20 system by revenue, and many have reached their current position through inorganic growth.6 Partnerships (joint ventures and alliances) may offer a promising avenue to access new capabilities, increase speed to market, and achieve capital, scale, and operational efficiencies.7

Moving beyond off-the-shelf solutions. History shows that deploying technology—such as electronic health records (EHRs)—on top of broken processes and clinical workflows does not lead to value. Realizing value from healthcare technology will require a reimagination (and standardization) of clinical workflows and care models across organizations. For example, optimizing workflows to enable more appropriate delegation, with technical enablement, could yield a potential 15 to 30 percent net time savings over a 12-hour shift. This could help close the nursing workforce gap by up to 300,000 inpatient nurses.8

Using the cloud for modernization. Health systems are increasingly building cloud-based data environments with defined data products to increase data availability and quality. Health systems can also use cloud-hosted, end-user-focused platforms (such as patient or clinician apps) that integrate multiple other applications and experiences to simplify stakeholders’ interactions with the system.

Operating differently. Operating differently entails fundamental changes in structure (flatter, empowered, cross-functional teams), talent (new skill sets and fully dedicated teams), ways of working (outcome orientation, agile funding, and managing products, not projects), and technology (modular architecture, cloud-based data systems, and reduced reliance on the monolithic EHR). With these changes, some health systems have begun to see real value within six months. Building a digital culture helps the transformation succeed over time.9

Cautiously embracing gen AI. Gen AI has the potential to affect everything from continuity of care and clinical operations to contracting and corporate functions. Health system executives and patients have concerns about the risks of AI, particularly in relation to patient care and privacy. Managing these risks entails placing business-minded legal and risk-management teams alongside AI and data science teams.10 Organizations could also implement a well-informed risk-prioritization strategy.

Digital and AI investments provide health systems with opportunities to address the many challenges they face. Successful health systems will invest in areas with the greatest potential impact while removing barriers—for example, by upgrading legacy infrastructure. Health systems that make successful investments in digital and analytics capabilities could see substantial benefits and position themselves to benefit from the $200 billion to $360 billion opportunity.11

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Jack Eastburn is a partner in McKinsey’s Southern California office; Jen Fowkes is a partner in the Washington, DC, office; and Karl Kellner is a senior partner in the New York office. Brad Swanson is a consultant in the Denver office.

The authors wish to thank David Bueno, Camilo Gutierrez, Dae-Hee Lee, Audrey Manicor, Lois Schonberger, and Tim Zoph for their contributions to this article.

Πηγή: mckinsey.com
find more :https://eefam.gr/digital-transformation-health-systems-investment-priorities/