🇬🇧 Interview with the Institute of Mother and Child

Let’s talk about the innovation

Healthcare is evolving and at the front of this transformation in Poland stands the Institute of Mother and Child (IMiD). Since its establishment in 1951, IMiD has been dedicated to addressing the health and social needs of women, children, and youth, making significant contributions to public health.

In our conversation with Dr. Tomasz Maciejewski — the Chief Director of IMiD, Małgorzata Maj — the Innovation Project Manager and Nikoletta Buczek — Innovation Project Manager we explored the innovative approaches they are implementing. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and other technologies, they aim to make healthcare smarter, faster, and more personalized. …so, grab your coffee, sit comfortably and enjoy! 💙

🎙 At the beginning, we would like to introduce you better to our readers, so please tell us a bit more about the Institute of Mother and Child and your activities.

Tomasz Maciejewski: Our Institute comprehensively addresses the health of children and women, from conception through to the end of life. Since the beginning of its activities, it has created, implemented, and developed numerous innovations in the field of healthcare. Achievements developed here include:

• the newborn screening program (currently covering 30 diseases — we are the second in Europe in this regard),
• the prevention program for congenital CNS defects through folic acid supplementation,
• conservative surgeries in oncological surgery using so-called growing prostheses,
• comprehensive principles of care for pregnant women and their monitoring, and many others.

Currently, in addition to the mentioned activities, we are focusing on the development of modern perinatology (prenatal diagnostics and intrauterine procedures) and genetics necessary for the diagnosis of many diseases. It is used in several areas, including the development of personalized therapy, pediatric oncology using VR/MR methods in surgical treatment, modern chemotherapy, immunotherapy, as well as gene therapies, and the treatment of congenital metabolic disorders or cystic fibrosis.

We must not overlook the extremely important public health activities concerning the health behaviors of children, adolescents, and pregnant women. By analyzing these behaviors, we can diagnose health protection problems and create appropriate preventive programs.

🎙 As an Institute, you are known for your openness to innovations and technologies offered by startups, which I would like to discuss in a moment. But before we get to that, I would like to ask how you view medical innovations over time and their development?

Małgorzata Maj: Medical innovations play a key role in the development of healthcare. At the Institute of Mother and Child, we are fully aware of their tremendous impact — not only on improving patient care but also on enhancing their quality of life and health longevity.

Looking at medical innovations over time, we see that they not only revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases but also introduce new standards in patient care.

Industry collaboration is extremely important, and essential for the future of modern medicine. We recognize the immense potential of utilizing innovations and new technologies to improve the functioning of hospitals, especially in this era of widespread digitalization and digital transformation. New technologies can effectively support daily operations in medical facilities and be an additional benefit for future employees. As a physician, I see great potential for support in my daily practice — from various apps that facilitate ward management to tools related to electronic medical documentation.

🎙 We recently read that in 2023, surgeons at IMiD performed nine procedures using the CarnaLife Holo system for three-dimensional visualization of diagnostic data. What does this mean in practice, and how does it impact the work of doctors and the effectiveness of surgeries?

MM: In the first edition of the Mother and Child Startup Challenge, initiated by the Institute, one of the two winning companies was MedApp, whose product was rated highest among 69 entries. Their CarnaLife Holo system is a groundbreaking technology for three-dimensional, holographic visualization of diagnostic imaging data, supporting the planning and execution of medical procedures.

Using mixed/augmented reality goggles, the doctor sees a three-dimensional hologram in real space, reflecting the structure of the imaged anatomical area. During the procedure planning stage, it is possible to take measurements in the patient’s imaging data, mark and describe specific areas significant for the surgery, or select functions that visualize specific anatomical structures (e.g., blood vessels, bones, soft tissues).

Thanks to the use of special goggles, the doctor not only sees three-dimensional holograms but can also interact with them in a sterile manner through voice commands, gestures, and virtual menus.

CLH has a wide range of applications and can be used to improve the safety of procedures by making planning easier and analyzing spatial relationships between anatomical structures and pathological changes. During the procedure itself, using this technology allows for the verification of its execution.

Additionally, the doctor can present the plan and scope of the procedure as a hologram to inform the patient about its nature and potential risks. Analyzing the surveys we collected, in which doctors evaluated the use of the CarnaLife Holo technology, most cases showed relatively high ratings — they often pointed out benefits such as improved diagnosis quality, treatment, and preparation for the procedure.

🎙 How did you prepare for the implementation and use of this technology? I assume it involved many training, analyses, and studies.

MM: Yes, preparing for the implementation of new medical technology is a complex process that requires careful planning and collaboration among many teams. As part of the implementation, we conducted training sessions with representatives from the company, and the company continuously supported our doctors in using VR goggles in their work.

Implementing medical technologies in hospitals is a multifaceted and demanding task. Hospital administrators, doctors, support staff, and IT specialists must work closely together to handle this new and interdisciplinary challenge. This requires preparing many areas at the intersection of legal, financial, managerial, and safety regulations. The final, but equally important element, is the area of education, training, and change management, as the entire staff will find themselves in a new situation, equipped with previously unknown potential and equipment.

🎙 Returning for a moment to your approach, what was the breakthrough moment when you decided to open up to startups?

TM: The COVID-19 pandemic created a sudden need for digital solutions — from teleconferences to teleconsultations, e-prescriptions, e-sick notes, and so on. It was also a moment when AI-based solutions came into a wider context. Participating in numerous meetings on telemedicine and artificial intelligence, as well as reviewing scientific publications in this area, I realized that to utilize and implement modern digital solutions, we need people at the Institute who can bridge the gap between personnel (the ‘protein’) and digital technologies (the ‘silicon’), and these should not be ‘typical’ IT specialists. This led to the creation of the Department of AI and Medical Technology Innovations in January 2022 — and it has developed from there.

🎙 Reviewing various Polish and global lists of MedTech startups, we can come across a wide range of technologies. Undoubtedly, the use of AI appears most frequently. In your opinion, which technology will be key for the further development of medicine, and will AI define the strength of healthcare?

TM: Currently, all reports from well-known consulting firms — Deloitte, Accenture, and others — clearly indicate that the use of AI-based solutions is key to meeting the challenges facing healthcare worldwide. We must contend with shortages of medical staff, rising costs, increasing demand for medical services, and aging populations. It is difficult to pinpoint key technologies in this context due to the complexity of these challenges.

Małgorzata Maj: It seems that AI will indeed be one of the key aspects in the development of healthcare in the coming years. This is evident not only from industry documents but also from the planned actions at the European Union level and our national initiatives. I am very interested in the AI pilot projects announced by the Patient Ombudsman and the Ministry of Health. Patients already frequently use chatbots, much like they used to rely on ‘Dr. Google,’ so I highly appreciate the Ombudsman’s efforts to prepare a pilot project that could make such chatbot use significantly safer for patients and help them navigate the currently complex healthcare system. According to reports, the Ministry of Health plans to introduce at least two AI-based services: one tool to assist in analyzing the patient’s health status and another to support diagnostic and clinical decisions — I look forward to more information. There may be a paradox in this, but I believe that the technologies that will be simple will be the key ones shortly. There are still many aspects of our healthcare system that can be relatively easily improved.

🎙 Since 2022, you have been organizing a unique competition — the Mother and Child Startup Challenge. It is unique because it is the first project of its kind in Poland that brings together public medical entities to showcase and utilize the potential of technology. Where did the idea for this competition come from, and how do you attract the best startups?

TM: In 2022, the pioneers of the AI Department, after conducting market searches for digital solutions for IMID, proposed a different way for us to open up to startups — the MCSC competition. Their observations showed that such a solution had only been used in the Boston Children’s Hospital before. We invited other public hospitals with pediatric and obstetric profiles to join the competition as organizers: offering startups access to our units while expecting solutions to our everyday problems.

🎙 One of the laureates of the first edition is MedApp, the creator of the CarnalLife Holo tool we discussed earlier, which has been implemented in the operating rooms at IMiD. Can you provide examples of other participants in the competition who have successfully supported medicine in Poland?

Nikoletta Buczek: In the first edition of the competition, along with the MedApp team, the project of the company Infermedica also won. Their platform, based on artificial intelligence, conducts an initial interview with the patient, thus supporting clinicians. We are currently working to ensure that, beyond the pilot phase at the Institute, this solution stays with us long-term.

The second edition of the Mother and Child Startup Challenge resulted in as many as four winning projects. We are currently in the process of implementing these technologies in our center. Among the top Polish solutions from our competition, we can mention technologies such as:

• Laserobaria 2.0_S developed by Inventmed — a universal solution supporting wound treatment. In the context of our hospital’s profile, this could primarily be for limb deformities in newborns and surgical and oncological wounds in children.
• Clebre — a telemedicine system supporting the treatment of sleep and breathing disorders, widely used in pediatric otolaryngology.
• Calmsie — a game supporting children’s mental health, particularly those suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders.
• TruScreen — a tool for detecting cervical changes. Interestingly, this is the only foreign project among the laureates, having come from Australia.

🎙 I assume that this year marks the third edition of the competition. Can you tell us who exactly you invite to participate and which startups should join you?

NB: In this year’s third edition of the competition, we once again open up to a wide range of thematic projects supporting the health of children and women of various ages. Although the name of the Institute might be misleading in this regard, we care not only about the health of mothers but all women. We are primarily looking for early-stage startups, i.e., those at a technology readiness level below TRL 7. We want the competition to serve as a platform for early projects, allowing them to verify their Product Market Fit and reach the end user — either a hospital or a patient. Additionally, we are also looking for solutions that support the hospital’s operation as an organization, in terms of administrative and logistical aspects, as well as developing the laboratory infrastructure.

🎙 On the Huge Innovators’ Map prepared by our team, apart from the obvious MedTech sector, you have indicated that in your general activities, you are also looking for innovative solutions in the areas of EnergyTech, HRtech, and FinTech. Could you tell us what exactly you are interested in within these sectors?

NB: As we mentioned, this year we are also opening up to solutions that have the potential to improve and optimize the functioning of hospitals in Poland. Beyond the medical area, which is the primary focus of every hospital, we must not forget that they rely on the work of dozens of administrative employees. Improvements in areas such as document management, energy optimization, and broad digitalization are consistently within our interests.

🎙 Is there anything, such as legal regulations, the scientific environment, available capital, etc., that could help Polish medical innovations develop faster? Is there something we lack compared to other regions?

TM: As a hospital director, I primarily see the need to create friendly legal regulations, funding tools for pilots, and interdepartmental cooperation among authorities. This will allow for much faster and more efficient implementation of innovations.

MM: To a large extent, there is still a lack of an effective standardized innovation implementation pathway. Legal regulations are not keeping up with the rapid technological development, which was particularly evident during the pandemic and the many challenges associated with telemedicine (despite existing legal regulations). Therefore, all kinds of industry activities that help interpret legal acts or create standards (such as the White Paper on AI in Health, which I had the pleasure of contributing to) are very important. Close cooperation between decision-makers and the medical and technological sectors is crucial in my opinion. There is also talk in the industry about creating a fast track for the implementation of new technologies into the basket of health services, which seems to be a good idea. For medical innovations, it is necessary to thoroughly investigate whether a given solution is not only cost-effective but, above all, safe and effective compared to standard therapy — and this requires financial investment and time. Pilots are a good solution for testing, but there is a lack of effective actions after their completion. We often face very long breaks for evaluation and reconsideration of further possibilities, which seems inefficient and not adapted to the specific nature of the rapidly developing industry.

In the scientific environment, I believe there is still a lack of various guidelines that take into account the use of new technologies or innovations. Without the voice of the medical community, it will be very difficult to implement innovations, as they are created not only for patients but also for medical staff. I observe with great appreciation the actions of the Polish Diabetes Society and the Polish Cardiology Society, which actively work towards integrating new technologies into patient care standards and securing the use of these technologies by doctors.

🎙 Concluding our conversation, I think we can confidently regard IMiD as a pioneer in introducing innovations to the medical world in our country. Therefore, I must ask how you envision healthcare in 10 years.

TM: According to current trends, we are developing a strategy for IMiD that will reflect our vision supported by knowledge and experience. We are moving towards the idea of a hospital beyond walls, meaning the transfer of care from hospital wards to outpatient clinics, daycare, and home care for the patient. This model requires coordinated personalized care programs using applications, medical devices, telemedicine solutions based on AI algorithms, and AR/VR.

MM: I hope that in 10 years we will reach a point of standardizing patient care using new technologies and that there will be industry solutions that facilitate the implementation and financing of innovations in healthcare. I see that we are moving in the right direction as an industry, and I would very much like to work as a doctor in a future healthcare system where my work is supported by innovative solutions.

Thank you for today’s conversation!