Participation For the Bright Future of Healthcare: Start From Small Things to Big Impact Things with Innovation

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Tarina Kaysa Luthfia, a 2th-year medical student at the Padjadjaran University in Indonesia. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

In this new era marked by the dynamics of globalization and the acceleration of technological development, the health sector faces increasingly complex and diverse challenges. Changing demographic conditions, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and public demands for higher quality services are the main driving factors for the need for transformation in the health service system. The importance of finding complete solutions has been further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has emphasized the need for more resilient and adaptive health systems. The use of digital technology for medical consultations has become a lifesaver amidst limited physical interactions.

Referring to this, innovation emerges as a key element that is not only able to answer existing challenges, but also ensures the sustainability of the health service system in the future. Innovation in health services can be defined as the application of new theories, understanding, ideas, and technologies to improve the quality efficiency of health services. This innovation covers various aspects. Starting from improving workflows, hospital management systems, regulatory and policy updates to support new practices to the development and implementation of new medical technologies, such as advanced diagnostic tools and telemedicine. Innovation allows improved patient quality with more accurate diagnoses, reduced hospital and operational costs, increased accessibility, especially for remote areas, a more sustainable health system, reduced amount of medical waste, and more efficient use of resources.

Seeing the many benefits obtained and being a key element for a sustainable health system, we ourselves can participate directly by starting. Start by conducting research and observations in the field to identify key problems or unmet needs in the health care system. An innovation does not always have to be a new idea but can also be in the form of criticizing an existing system and developing it to be better. An innovation must always be based on a combination of empathy, ideas, basic research, urgency, and usefulness. 

In creating an incredibly useful innovation, collaboration between many parties is needed. Collaboration can be formed from the closest parties to parties at a higher level such as the government to maximize the sustainability of innovation. With collaboration, more perspectives are available, more complex brainstorms are formed, more problems can be resolved, and innovation becomes more useful.

The foundations of community welfare will only be formed and fulfilled if the health system is strong and effective in promoting, restoring or maintaining health. 

If not us, who else will care and act? 

By starting from small things such as sympathizing, empathizing, observing problems around us, looking for urgency, understanding and creating creative innovations, we can change the world. We can create a strong health system so that the quality of life for many people is guaranteed. 

A small seed will grow into a bigger plant and can be utilized by just caring for it. 

What are you waiting for? Let’s innovate from small things. 

About the author

Tarina Kaysa Luthfia, a 2th-year medical student at the Padjadjaran University in Indonesia, is a member of International Federation Medical Students Assosiation (IFMSA). As the member of one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organisations, she channels her drive for change into impactful initiatives. She has a passion to implement and reflect the knowledge she has learned into action that has big goals in improving the quality of life of many people.