7th Mediterranean Forum in Health Care 2023

Proposals to revitalize the National Health Service come from the South and were discussed during the seventh edition of the Mediterranean Forum in Health Care held in Bari, at Villa Romanazzi Carducci, from Wednesday, September 20 to Thursday, September 22, 2023, which saw, beyond the best expectations, the presence of as many as 4,000 participants during the three days, between conference rooms and the 18 sessions thanks to the "contribution from the South" of the "red furies" of AReSS Puglia, professionals from the Regional Health Department, colleagues from Apulian health companies and hospitals, speakers from outside the Region and outside Italy, and the powerful machine of the Risk Management Forum.
The biggest challenge is that of the distribution of resources allocated to the management of health and social services, which to date has been marked by disparities and which in the future must not penalize the southern regions.
An issue related to the delicate reform of autonomies, which will have to be strengthened in a design capable of reducing and not accentuating inequalities.
Also discussed was technological innovation as an opportunity for innovation in care pathways and another challenge, that of longevity and its impact on the health and social system.
Digital Adoption Awards were presented by AReSS Commissioner Giovanni Gorgoni and Francesco Enrichens of Agenas for the use of the ICT platform of the COReHealtH regional telemedicine center to the top 3 winners:

Brindisi's Perrino Hospital in first place in the Breast Unit category and the Oncology Orientation Center category;
Bari's San Paolo Hospital in second place for both categories;
In third place: Dimiccoli Hospital of Barletta in the COrO category and IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II of Bari in the Breast Unit category.

Special mentions for Fazzi Hospital in Lecce and Camberlingo Hospital in Francavilla Fontana for understanding and employing the platform as a user-centered digital enablement and current process transformation solution.

The themes
The "Proposals from the South" that gave the event its title were declined into twelve main themes during the three days of meetings:

Innovation and Sustainability of the National Health System: the Proposals from the South.
Operational program equity in health: comparison between the Regions of the South.
Mental health: how and what to do about taking care of patients.
Technological innovation: Safety and appropriateness in the operating room, with a specific focus on robotic surgery.
Territorial Operating Centers COTs: the organizational and technological hub for the coordination of social and health services.
The challenge of longevity: comparison of European experiences.
Artificial intelligence applied to healthcare: opportunities and risks.
Safety of care: common goal of healthcare companies, providers and patients.
Healthcare professionals actors of change: enhancing skills, role, teamwork.
Training: the new communities of practice with the support of technologies.
The New Governance of Human Resources: tools, flexibility, contracts-the role of strategic directorates.
Waiting lists: the intervention plans of southern regions.

Promoters
The event was promoted by the Strategic Regional Agency for Health and Social Care (AReSS Puglia) with Gutenberg. It was held under the patronage of the Region, the National Agency for Regional Health Services (Agenas), the Apulia Health System and the City of Bari, and with the contribution of numerous companies, each present at the event with its own exhibition space.