Faces Of Digital Health

This episode explores how Denmark’s 2024 health reform is accelerating an already mature digital health ecosystem, with a special focus on Copenhagen’s municipality-led elderly and community care services. Speakers Anders Elken Sønderby and Rikke Saltoft Andersen from City of Copenhagen, explain how the reform responds to demographic pressures: a growing elderly population, increasing chronic disease burden, and workforce shortages. Rather than representing a radical shift, the reform acts as an acceleration layer on top of long-established digital health infrastructure. The discussion dives into how municipalities support home care, nursing, rehabilitation, prevention, and care homes, all digitally connected with hospitals and general practitioners through Denmark’s long-standing MedCom interoperability framework. A strong emphasis is placed on care continuity, ensuring data follows citizens across hospitals, care homes, and home-based services. A standout theme is Copenhagen’s effort to include relatives

In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, host Tjasa Zajc sits down with Marc D. Ritter, CEO of AWE Digital Wellness, to explore the science behind digital addiction and the growing impact of social media, smartphones, and AI on mental health—especially in children and teenagers. From dopamine-driven engagement to AI companions replacing human relationships, this conversation dives deep into what neuroscience tells us—and what we should be doing about it. Marc D. Ritter explains that digital addiction is not simply about excessive use, but about a loss of agency—when individuals can no longer function normally without technology. He connects this to neuroscience, highlighting how platforms are designed to exploit core human needs like connection, novelty, and validation. The discussion expands into emerging trends such as AI companions and relationships, raising concerns about reduced social interaction, increased confirmation bias, and a narrowing of perspectives. While AI may help alleviate lonelines

In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, host Tjasa Zajc sits down with Nasser Arif, a Cybersecurity Manager for two NHS Trusts in Northwest London. The conversation moves beyond the technical "bits and bytes" to explore the human element of security. Nasser explains his daily routine of balancing urgent patient-care fixes with long-term strategy and emphasizes that effective cybersecurity in a hospital setting requires a deep understanding of clinical workflows. The dialogue covers the impact of high-profile attacks like the 2024 Synnovis incident, the importance of "cyber-hygiene" in personal life as a bridge to professional safety, and the evolving regulatory landscape of the NHS. Nasser argues that cybersecurity is moving away from being a sub-department of IT and emerging as a standalone profession critical to patient safety.

1 view Mar 19, 2026 In-person video interviewsThe European Health Data Space (EHDS) isn't just a new regulation—it’s a "Magna Carta" for healthcare innovation. In this interview from the Smart Bridges Event, we sit down with industry expert Dennis Geisthardt, Head of digital.lab, to break down the implementation timeline (2025–2031) and what it means for the pharmaceutical industry, medtech, and patients across Europe. We dive into the "Countdown to 2027," the challenges of intellectual property vs. data sharing, and how opening up access to clinical data could finally unlock breakthroughs for rare diseases and personalized medicine. In this video, you’ll learn: The 3 major milestones of EHDS implementation (2027, 2029, 2031). Why "Primary Use" vs. "Secondary Use" of data matters for your healthcare. The risks and rewards for the private sector and Big Pharma. How EHDS could revolutionize market access (AMNOG) and AI-driven drug discovery. 00:30 – Introduction: The Smart Bridges Even

Are we overhyping AI in healthcare before building the foundations? In this interview from the HIMSS Global Conference, Anne Snowden (Chief Scientific Research Officer, HIMSS) breaks down the latest data on global digital health maturity. We discuss why "Person-Enabled Health" is lagging, how countries like Germany are using data to transform their hospital systems, and why the shift from disease management to proactive prevention is the only way to save our healthcare economy. Topics covered: - The 4 dimensions of digital health transformation. - Why AI requires better data governance and interoperability. - Comparing digital progress in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. - The role of "Agentic AI" in supporting patients at home. Video: https://youtu.be/6e8pzH_VslE?si=y6b6y89IoTgtw5at www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: www.facesofdigitalhealth.com

How is AI actually changing the day-to-day life of a clinician? In this episode, we sit down at the Smart Bridges GmbH Digital Health Excellence Forum in Frankfurt with Dimitri Varsamis PhD, Senior Programme Manager, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Georgi Nalbantov, PhD, Chief AI Officer at Hospital Zdraveto. They covered the impact of AI on the clinical workforce:

Denmark has been a digital health frontrunner for over two decades. In this episode, recorded live in Barcelona, Morten Elbæk Petersen, CEO of sundhed.dk, shares how Denmark launched its national patient portal in 2002 — long before most European countries began digitizing patient access. Now, as Denmark prepares for a major health reform culminating in the establishment of Digital Health Denmark in 2027, the country is modernizing legacy systems, strengthening cybersecurity, integrating secondary data, and shifting care from hospitals to homes. This conversation explores what long-term digital maturity really means — the benefits, the legacy challenges, and the governance reforms shaping Denmark’s next chapter.

In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, Tjaša Zajc speaks with Dale Atkinson, a stage 4 oesophageal cancer patient who was told he had 11.5 months to live—and who is still alive today. Dale shares how he applied his compliance and investigation skills to healthcare: reading thousands of research papers, building a research-grounded AI workflow to sense-check drug interactions and pathways, and learning how to communicate with clinicians to be taken seriously. We discuss patient agency, the doctor–patient relationship, the promise (and risks) of AI for patients, the digital divide in healthcare, and why quality of life must be central to care decisions. Dale also shares how his journey led to new work in patient advocacy, the Beyond the Standard foundation, and the Clear Path Clinic vision for integrative oncology and wellness. Topics include: patient empowerment, AI in patient journeys, evidence-based complementary approaches, healthcare equity, clinician workload, prognosis anxiety, and new patient-led

In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, host Tjasa Zajc sits down with Bart de Witte for a candid conversation on what agent-based AI really means for healthcare. Recorded during a car ride in Ljubljana, the discussion explores why healthcare needs an operating system for AI agents, the risks of agent autonomy, privacy-by-design through on-device AI, and why monolithic EHRs struggle with the next generation of clinical workflows. Bart also shares his vision for open, decentralized AI ecosystems, certified clinical agents, and swarm intelligence and explains why Europe may be uniquely positioned to lead this shift. A practical, forward-looking episode for anyone working at the intersection of healthcare, AI, and digital infrastructure. Youtube video version: https://youtu.be/F_GRfIbqJJM?si=qheSsKvcg6WXUqTU

As artificial intelligence rapidly enters healthcare, bold claims about replacing doctors dominate headlines. But on the clinical frontline, the reality is far more complex. In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, oncologist Dr. Derrick Khor shares an unfiltered view from inside the NHS, unpacking what AI actually changes — and what it doesn’t. Rather than framing AI as a threat, the conversation explores how it already supports clinicians and patients alike: simplifying complex medical information, helping patients understand their diagnoses, and accelerating access to evidence. Yet the biggest constraint isn’t technology — it’s data. Without reliable access to their own health records, patients and AI tools alike remain limited. The discussion also tackles a growing contradiction in healthcare systems: simultaneous staff shortages and doctor unemployment. Training bottlenecks, hiring freezes, pay erosion, and misaligned workforce planning have created a situation where well-trained clinicians struggl

Ambient documentation is becoming normal in clinics. But the most interesting “voice” capability may not be transcription at all.In the latest episode of Faces of Digital Health, Henry O'Connell (Canary Speech) explains why voice biomarkers stalled for decades: the field analyzed words, not the neurological signal behind speech production.Canary’s approach focuses on the “primary data layer”—how the central nervous system drives respiration, vocal cord vibration, and articulation in real conversational speech. A few details that stood out: ⏱️ ~45 seconds of conversation can be enough for assessment

The conversation explores the impact of robots on mental health and their role in healthcare. Anthropologist Tanja Ahlin and Faces of digital health host Tjasa Zajc discuss the fascination with robots, the ambiguous identity of robots, their use in elder care, the challenges of integrating robots, the global perspective on robots, and the misconceptions and realities of robots. The conversation explores the impact of technology on different generations, the role of individual choices in technology use. The speakers also talk about concerns about children and technology, the role of parents, and the impact of technology on human development and creativity. It also emphasizes the importance of optimism and flexibility in adapting to technology. Chapters 02:00 The Fascination with Robots 15:01 Robots in Elder Care 14:15 The Global Perspective on Robots 20:46 Misconceptions and Realities of Robots 29:57 Technology and Generational Sensitization 35:19 The Role of Technology in Creat

In this episode, Dipak Kalra, President of the European Institute for Innovation through Health Data, joins Faces of Digital Health to break down the real progress (and real gaps) in European health data, from legacy “hybrid” paper/digital workflows to the underused potential of clinical decision support that depends on structured data. We explore what EHDS changes—especially the promise of a standardized, downloadable patient dataset—and what it could unlock for patient-facing apps, analytics, and more active self-management. We also tackle the hard questions: how to protect citizens from misuse and scams, how opt-out choices might create bias in research and AI, why “beating clinicians with a stick” won’t fix data quality, and why delays aren’t just bureaucratic—they can translate into avoidable harm. 02:00 The State of Healthcare Data in Europe 07:59 Challenges in Data Interoperability 12:31 The Role of Patients in Data Management 16:37 AI and Data Privacy Concerns 22:01 Patient Consent and Data Usage 28

Ali Parsa is a serial entrepreneur known for founding companies that challenge traditional models of healthcare delivery. Over two decades, he has built organizations at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and systems redesign—each shaped by an ambition to make care more efficient, accessible, and equitable. In this episode, Tjasa Zajc and Ali Parsa explore how agentic AI is redefining healthcare and what it really takes to build transformative companies in a fast-shifting world.Ali dives into why healthcare remains stuck in an economic imbalance—unlimited demand but constrained clinical supply—and why autonomous, real-time AI agents may finally rebalance the system by taking over 20–30% of routine clinical tasks. He explains how Quadrivia builds agents that can talk to patients, follow multi-step workflows, and operate within strict guardrails to avoid hallucinations and workflow drift.But this episode goes far beyond technology. Ali opens up about entrepreneurship:• why speed is the only real advant

In this episode of Faces of Digital Health, we sit down with Anne Forsyth, Hospital leader in clinical applications from Women's College Hospital in Canada, to explore how AI — especially generative AI — is reshaping daily clinical practice. Over the past two years, enthusiasm for AI has skyrocketed inside hospitals, with clinicians themselves requesting new tools rather than resisting them. We discuss the cautious but deliberate rollout of AI scribes, the still-emerging trust in decision-support AI, and the safety and change-management considerations that mirror (and sometimes exceed) traditional IT implementations. Anne offers an honest look at the financial challenges of sustaining AI tools in publicly funded health systems and shares practical advice for hospitals navigating funding models, clinical buy-in, and responsible innovation. Show notes: 01:50 – Current AI Implementations 03:21 – Safety and Risk Considerations 04:00 – Comparing AI Rollouts to Traditional IT Tools 05:10 – The Busi

In this Faces of Digital Health episode Dr. David Dodick, Chief Science and Medical Officer at the Atria Health Institute and Co-Chair of the Atria Research Institute talks about brain health, dementia prevention, the rapidly evolving science of Alzheimer’s, and how digital tools and AI are transforming care. We also cover why women face higher Alzheimer’s risk, the microvasculature’s role in cognition, and the biggest leap in migraine treatment: CGRP-targeting therapies. A must-watch if you’re curious about prevention, personalized risk, and which consumer tech is actually useful today. Dr. David Dodick trained at the Mayo Clinic and served on the faculty there for more than three decades. At the Mayo Clinic, he founded the Neurology Residency Program, the Headache Fellowship Program, the Sports Neurology and Concussion Program, the Migraine and Headache Program, and co-founded the Vascular Neurology/Stroke Program. What you’ll learn: 1. How much dementia is realistically preventable—and how to lower your

Stephen Ryu, a neurosurgeon and key figure in the Stanford Neuroprosthetics Lab joins Tjaša Zajc on Faces of Digital Health to demystify brain–computer interfaces (BCIs): how they work, why invasive systems outperform non-invasive ones, realistic use cases (motor control and speech), timelines and durability, safety and MRI trade-offs, cybersecurity, business models, and what Paradromics is building as a high-bandwidth BCI platform. Throughout, Stephen separates science fact from sci-fi, stressing near-term potential to restore communication and movement for people living with paralysis, while noting earlier-stage areas like mental health and pain. What we cover: - Invasive vs. non-invasive BCIs, and why electrode proximity to neurons matters for performance - Decoding motor intent and speech: training, language considerations, and LLM-enabled synthesis - Safety, surgery, and durability (why 10-year implant lifespans are a meaningful target) - MRI/CT compatibility trade-offs (and parallels to pacemakers/DB

Mazin Gadir, a regional expert in digital health strategy, Director with Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare and Life Sciences in Dubai, reflects on the Middle East’s evolution from early EMR adoption to AI-driven healthcare. From Dubai’s innovation playground to Abu Dhabi’s depth in research, he explains how rivalry between Gulf states fuels progress and why exporting tested models to Africa and beyond is the new norm. He also questions the myth of leapfrogging, pointing out that fragmentation and lack of research remain barriers. This candid conversation explores regulation, interoperability, and the role of academia in sustaining innovation. www.facesofdigitalhealth.com Newsletter: https://fodh.substack.com/ 00:00 – Introduction: blockchain hype and digital health evolution 01:00 – From EMRs to health information exchanges in the Middle East 03:00 – The impact of COVID-19 on digital transformation 04:30 – Rise of patient empowerment and consumerization of healthcare 05:30 – The missing role of academia and rese

In this interview, healthcare futurist Reenita Das, Partner at Frost&Sulivan, Healthcare Changemaker, voted top 100 women in Healthtech and Femtech, reflects on the balance between rapid digital health innovation and the human side of care. Speaking from WHX Tech in Dubai, she highlights why empathy, kindness, and caregiving remain essential despite the rise of AI. She also shares insights on the UAE healthcare system—its sophistication, inequities for migrant workers, and opportunities in mental health and digital innovation. Drawing from her experience in 10+ healthcare systems worldwide, Reenita compares global approaches and emphasizes food and lifestyle as drivers of health outcomes. 00:00 – Introduction and reflections on WHX Tech conference 01:00 – Why the human side of healthcare is more important than ever 02:30 – Risks of AI reducing clinician-patient time 03:30 – What AI can and cannot do in healthcare 05:00 – UAE healthcare system: sophistication and inequities 06:30 – Migrant workers and challe

Dr. Sam Shah is a clinician, advisor, and former startup founder. At WHX Tech he sat down with Tjasa Zajc to discuss the future of dentistry, oral health, and broader digital health innovation. He explains why dentistry has lagged behind other specialties, how oral health connects to overall wellbeing, and why the UAE stands out as “the most digitally connected place on the planet.” Sam highlights government-backed sandboxes, integration engines, and lessons other countries can learn from the Emirates—while also pointing to persistent challenges in standards, interoperability, and prevention. Show notes: 00:00 – Introduction and Sam’s journey from dentistry to digital health 01:00 – Innovations in dentistry: apps, smart toothbrushes, imaging AI 02:00 – Why dentistry lags behind in digital adoption 03:00 – Oral health and its impact on overall health and wellbeing 04:00 – The social determinants of oral health 05:00 – Career across multiple domains: public health, startups, law, economics 06:00 – Why global