Among the speakers in the Nursing Informatics Symposium, which takes place on the first day, are Professor Doctor Ursula Hübner, from the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück, Germany, and Cornellia M Ruland, of Rikshospitalet, in Oslo, Norway.
They, among others, will be examining the pivotal role of information and IT for those at the front line in the fast-changing world of healthcare.
Moderator for the event will be Nicholas Hardiker, Senior Research Fellow within the Salford Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Collaborative Research at the University of Salford, UK.
Hardiker says: "There's a 'people side' to healthcare IT. We need leadership at all levels within the profession. Within the whole health industry, budget-holders included. It's not just a top-down issue."
"The key question," he adds, "is how can nurse leaders influence the process of IT introduction and usage? That's what needs to be addressed."
A nursing revolution
The symposium's title, 'Revolutionising nursing: Technology as an Enabler', reflects the hi-tech environment in which staff at the sharp end of hospital life are expected to operate.
This is an ideal chance for these vital stakeholders, nurses in Europe and beyond, to discuss the implications of technological advances and how this affects their lives, and the lives of their patients, when back home in their individual environments.
Physicians and leaders
Alongside the session for nurses are two other high-profile events: the Physicians IT symposium and the Leadership Symposium.
Under the title 'Clinical Empowerment Through Technology: The Physician's Role in Transforming Healthcare', the symposium will broadly focus on IT integration and access to clinical data with the aim of improving decision-making and the care process.
At the same time, 'Articulating the Vision: From Strategy to IT Integration' - the leadership symposium - will highlight solutions-driven approaches to implementing strategic systems, among other topics, all aimed towards effective leadership and implementation form the point of view of the CIO.
The three will run concurrently and there will be a combined session to allow each group the opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions with the other two.
University of Vienna tour
Finally, in a major coup for WHIT 2007, attendees at all three symposia will be given the rare opportunity to tour the Medical University of Vienna/General Hospital of Vienna. Autonomous for almost for years, the university is renowned for its service to research and education. It's a 'must-visit' and a real highlight at the conference.
For further details on discounts, availability and the three-day programme at the 2007 World of Health IT Conference and Exhibition, go to www.worldofhealthit.org.
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About The World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition
The World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition has been developed for leaders and experts in health IT from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). It has been designed for and by the healthcare IT community in the EMEA region: technology users, buyers, vendors, providers or healthcare regulators. Addressing the perspectives of clinicians, directors and other healthcare professionals, The World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition offers educational sessions, vendor exhibitions, best practice exchange networking sessions and other professional development opportunities.
The World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition Organising Committee is jointly organised by the EC (European Commission), HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society), EUROREC (European Institute for Health Records), COCIR (European Coordination Committee of the Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry), EHTEL (European Health Telematics Association), HINE (Health Information Network Europe), CPME (Standing Committee of European Doctors), EHMA (European Health Management Association), and HOPE (European Hospital and Healthcare Federation).