From February 11 to 12, 2025, the XiA project officially kicked off in Lisbon, Portugal, hosted by ISCTE. The two-day event brought together a diverse group of experts from across Europe, including those in interoperability, training, information technologies, and innovation, both in person and remotely. The energy and collaboration on display highlighted the ambition and the transformative potential of XiA, a project focused on bridging the digital skills gap in healthcare through cutting-edge education and interoperability initiatives.
Setting the stage for digital health education
The kick-off meeting began with an overview of XiA’s key objectives, focusing on how the project aims to enhance interoperability through dynamic training programmes. The discussions covered the project’s nine work packages, with a detailed look at the upcoming deliverables and milestones, ensuring that all partners were aligned in their approach to achieve the project’s goals.
One of the primary goals of the event was to build connections and synergies among partner members. Through dynamic workshops and presentations, participants shared insights on fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and healthcare institutions. This interdisciplinary approach is essential to shaping the future of digital health education in Europe, as partners work together to address the evolving needs of healthcare professionals.
Key highlights from the kick-off sessions
A central theme of the kick-off was the development of the XiA Pedagogical Model. This model will guide the design of effective courses tailored to the diverse needs of healthcare professionals, taking into account their backgrounds and employer support. Discussions also delved into the integration of education with industry needs, exploring how XiA’s training programmes will be aligned with the European Health Data Space (EHDS) policy framework and evolving market demands.
The session on healthcare classifications, including LOINC and SNOMED, provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within healthcare interoperability. With a focus on the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Format (EEHRxF), the discussion emphasised the importance of international standards in improving healthcare data exchange.
A vision for the future
The kick-off also spotlighted the XiA Master’s & PhD Club, which will foster research and education on digital skills and interoperability in healthcare. One innovative programme, the Master of Managing Digital Transformation in the Health Sector (ManagiDiTH), was introduced as a flagship initiative designed to equip future leaders with advanced digital skills. The development of this programme will be crucial in supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals and IT experts.
As the event concluded, the XiA consortium celebrated the collaboration and commitment that will drive the project forward. This kick-off is just the beginning of an ambitious journey that will shape the future of digital health education across Europe. With strong foundations laid in Lisbon, XiA is poised to make a lasting impact on the healthcare sector, ensuring that digital health skills are accessible and effective for professionals across the continent.