Collaboration to improve healthcare and patient outcomes
At the annual St Luke's Symposium, Professor David Burn and Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain presented on important topics around academic health science systems and patient outcomes, highlighting how healthcare can be improved through collaboration, data-driven strategies and digital innovation.
Professor David Burn, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University, delivered a talk titled "How an Academic Health Science System Can Improve the Health of a Region?" He introduced the concept of an Academic Health Science System, a partnership between universities and healthcare providers designed to enhance healthcare delivery, education, and research. He highlighted the Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP), which brings together key partners to improve citizen health, address health inequalities and stimulate economic growth in the region through critical mass, training and research.
Professor David Burn speaking at St Luke's Symposium 2024
NHRP uses an outward-looking approach, drawing on expertise from external panels and national bodies. This allows the system to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, ensuring that efforts are focused on areas of strength and expertise. "Working together is critical," Professor Burn emphasised.
Professor Burn referenced RCPI's report Changing Horizons published earlier this year, reflecting on the importance of a research-empowered workforce to support implementation.
A central theme of his talk was the integration of cutting-edge technology and data, such as digital mobility assessments and artificial intelligence, to personalise healthcare and improve patient outcomes. He stressed the need to involve patients as active partners in healthcare innovation, noting that technology must be user-friendly and beneficial to both patients and healthcare workers.
Highlighting the power of data in improving healthcare, Prof Burn drew examples from Newcastle’s Urban Observatory. He described how real-time data streams on traffic and pollution could be used to predict and intervene in medical events like respiratory crises. He underscored the significance of Secure Data Environments, which allow researchers to access anonymised healthcare data that is routinely collected from healthcare sites.
During his presentation, Professor Burn also highlighted efforts by the Academic Health Science System to reduce health inequalities. He cited several initiatives where essential services such as health checks, dental care, and mental health assessments are provided for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
A central focus of NHRP is patient engagement. Professor Burn emphasised that one of the main pillars of the partnership revolves around public and patient engagement, which focuses on research inclusion initiatives, cross-partner public partnership capacity, creating a dynamic partnership training programme and exploring and availing of commercial opportunities.
Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain, National Clinical Director for Integrated Care, Office of the Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, delivered a talk titled "Improving Outcomes for Patients," focusing on the importance of measuring health outcomes. She discussed Ireland’s shift from an activity-based healthcare model to an outcome-based system, underpinned by the Health System Performance Assessment (HSPA) framework.
Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain speaking at St Luke's Symposium 2024
She explained that measuring health outcomes is essential to understanding whether the care provided is effectively meeting the needs of the population. "We measure them because we want to understand how we're improving the health of the population by delivering care that's based on need and providing care in the right place at the right time," she noted. Health outcomes serve as a vital tool for assessing the overall performance of the health and social care system, allowing for the monitoring of progress and the impact of strategic reforms. Dr Ní Bhriain stressed that these measurements also play a key role in planning and priority setting for health services, including the training of medical professionals.
Dr Ní Bhriain highlighted the importance of an outcome-based approach to medical training. "To really move on in medical training, we need to build population health into everything we do.” This includes understanding population trends, designing care around those needs, and using that information to allocate resources efficiently. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of considering the wider determinants of health, which play a significant role in shaping health outcomes.
Dr Ní Bhriain emphasised that the patient voice must be central to this transformation. "The patient voice has to be front and centre in how we co-design all of this work," she asserted, stressing the importance of collaboration with patients in shaping healthcare services. This patient-centred approach ensures that healthcare solutions are both practical and responsive to the real needs of those receiving care, creating a system that is inclusive and adaptable.
Professor David Burn and Siobhán Ní Bhriain highlighted the transformative potential of academic partnerships, technology, and an outcome-based approach in improving healthcare delivery and patient health. Their focus on data-driven collaboration and aligning healthcare with population needs reflect a forward-thinking vision for future health systems where technology, research, and patient engagement are central to success.
The session concluded with a panel discussion which included Dr Colm Henry, Dr John Fitzsimons, and Dr Jawaid Azam, and chaired by Dr Maeve Skelly and Prof Trevor Duffy.