EOSC4Cancer project coordinator, Dr. Salvador Capella Gutierrez, was one of the speakers in the panel “Future outlook of EHDS and digital health in Europe”, part of the European Health Data and Innovation Summit. He provided his expertise and outlook in various topics related to the implementation of EHDS and its effect on digital health along with the other panelists: Artur Drobniak, President of the Regional Medical Chamber In Warsaw; Mélodie Bernaux, Policy Officer Digital Health Unit, European Commission; Myriam Fernández Martín, Head of Health and Innovation for EMEA, Amazon Web Services; Jean-Marc Bourez, CEO of EIT Health. The panel was moderated by Artur Olesch. Check out the main talking points – and watch the recording here: emp.onl/oNmJL
Salvador explored how EOSC4Cancer will benefit from the implementation of EHDS. Our project is primarily driven by use cases, all containing different data types (imaging, genomics, etc.) and covering aspects from prevention to early detection. It is, therefore, essential to understand how to make this data interoperable and the rules of access. The implementation act will tell us exactly how to achieve this and identify gaps. One of the gaps being discussed within our project is how to reuse data for research activities when, according to regulation, this data should be destroyed. EHDS implementation will allow us to apply one centralized protocol instead of contacting many European committees, making data interoperability much more straightforward. EHDS implementation will, therefore, be a game changer for EOSC4Cancer.
When asked by moderator Artur Olesch whether Europe should invest more in AI research, Salvador highlighted that AI is only a small part of the lengthy process leading to data interoperability and reusability. We need to understand the data, how we’re accessing it, and how to bring it together. Then, the technology will come.
Regarding the Draghi report on European competitiveness, Salvador reiterated that more money doesn’t necessarily mean bigger and better. We can get really good results from cleverly using our current infrastructure. The Draghi report also highlights that most businesses don’t need massive AI elements. Europe is an inclusive space, taking into account all populations and groups that might be impacted, which is a big strength.
Salvador also touched on GDPR and the AI Act and how they affect cancer research. GDPR sets the legal bases we use to access data, primarily based on patient consent. We expect EHDS to change this, speed up the data access process, and make data more findable. Having an overarching European framework is sound. The AI act puts people at the center of research, understanding how AI models are trained and what they can do with the data. This enables the people involved to understand the model and its possible biases.
While the implementation of EHDS might not be immediate, Salvador argues that the cancer research cloud might be an optimal space to start trying many of the EHDS aspects we would want to see implemented. We have a broad community, investments, and a spanning infrastructure, which would provide the opportunity to highlight the challenges that might arise with the implementation of EHDS.