Digital medical devices: How to achieve adoption and impact

Digital medical devices, not least those powered by artificial intelligence, have the potential to significantly transform healthcare. However, despite their promising capacities, many struggle to gain traction. This year’s edition of the European Digital Healthtech Conference, organised by Luxinnovation with the support of Medical Valley in Luxembourg City on 26-27 March, will explore the reasons why and how to achieve genuine adoption and sustained competitiveness.

Why digital health innovations fail – and how to boost their chances of success

A common reason for why digital health solutions do not succeed is a lack of true understanding of the market. “Even though the technologies used are often brilliant, many digital medical devices don’t address the real needs of those concerned – patients, healthcare professionals and health systems,” comments Jean-Philippe Arié, Business Relationship Manager at Luxinnovation. The starting point of the conference will therefore be to explore how to identify, understand and prioritise unmet medical and clinical needs to translate them into innovations with solid value propositions.

Even though the technologies used are often brilliant, many digital medical devices don’t address the real needs of those concerned – patients, healthcare professionals and health systems.
Jean-Philippe Arié, Luxinnovation

Another challenge for digital health innovators is complex regulations. “The regulatory landscape in Europe is evolving: there is an ongoing revision of the Medical Device Regulation, and at the same time, the AI Act is being implemented. Developing digital medical devices that fulfil all requirements for compliance is not an easy task,” explains Magali Boers, Head of Digital Health Technologies at the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy.

However, she underlines that regulatory compliance is necessary for trust. “Digital medical devices that are compliant with EU regulations have a strong proof of reliability. At the conference, we will discuss how to turn this into lasting value. We will also explore how regulators can uphold high standards without hindering innovation.”

Ensuring adoption and stakeholder trust

A central topic of the European Digital Healthtech Conference is how to ensure the adoption and scalability of digital medical devices by making them intuitive, seamlessly integrated into clinical workflows and interoperable.

Users will adopt new solutions if they fit into their daily work without adding new administrative or practical burdens.
Magali Boers, Ministry of the Economy

“Users will adopt new solutions if they fit into their daily work without adding new administrative or practical burdens,” emphasises Dr Boers. “At the same time, we are well aware that to fully benefit from AI-based devices, some workflows will have to be adapted in the future. We will also talk about if and how we can prepare users for the transformation of clinical and operational workflows of tomorrow.”

The final major topic of the event will be how to earn the trust of the stakeholders that are essential for success: investors, clinicians, patients, regulators and payers. Speakers will also highlight the importance of effective communication, marketing and training strategies that underpin competitive business cases ready for the EU market.

European Digital Healthtech Conference: Operational, open, professional

The conference will feature high-level international keynote speakers as well as innovators, investors and healthcare professionals with in-depth, practical experience of the issues discussed. Participants will also have several opportunities to request pre-scheduled meetings with each other to discuss innovation and partnerships.

If you are starting the development of your digital health tool, or preparing to scale a proven solution, I encourage you to join us to build your toolbox for success.
Jean-Philippe Arié, Luxinnovation

Dr Arié promises an event focused on hands-on insights from practitioners, real-world stories and the opportunity to meet hospital executives, investors and regulators. “Our conference stands out for its specialised, operational approach and intimate setting with easy access to speakers and experts. The previous three editions have attracted a very qualified audience from Europe and beyond. This is a great occasion for learning more about how to succeed in the EU market. If you are starting the development of your digital health tool, or preparing to scale a proven solution, I encourage you to join us to build your toolbox for success.”