EATRIS-CONNECT, in collaboration with Rīga Stradiņš University, hosted the online discussion “Let’s Discuss Patient Involvement in the Digital Era”, bringing together researchers, patient advocates, healthcare professionals and innovators to explore how patients can play a more active role in shaping the future of digital health and research. The event focused on the opportunities and challenges created by the European Health Data Space (EHDS), artificial intelligence and emerging digital health technologies.

The discussion highlighted the growing importance of patient engagement, not only as providers of health data, but as active contributors to research design, data governance, ethical decision-making and healthcare innovation. Through expert presentations and interactive discussions, participants exchanged experiences and best practices for strengthening patient involvement across the research and innovation lifecycle.

The programme included:

• Opening remarks from EATRIS-CONNECT representatives.
• A keynote presentation by Dr. Ildikó Vajda on the role of Health Data Access Bodies under the new EHDS regulation and the Dutch experience in patient-centred digital health.
• A roundtable discussion on patient roles in the digital era, featuring experts from EUPATI, SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital, the Dutch Patients’ Federation and the TRUSTroke project.
• Open Q&A sessions that encouraged dialogue between participants, patient representatives and researchers.

Among the speakers was Dr. Carlos Molina, Head of the Stroke Research Group at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute and coordinator of the TRUSTroke project, who shared perspectives on patient engagement in clinical research and digital innovation.

The event showcased how meaningful patient participation can contribute to more transparent, inclusive and impactful health research, while fostering stronger collaboration between patients, researchers and healthcare institutions across Europe