On March 12th-13th, in Desenzano del Garda, the IDEA-FAST consortium gathered to discuss current progress and next steps during the 2024 General Assembly.
More than 100 participants from over 50 partner organizations took part in the sessions, in person and online, including participants in our Clinical Observational Study (COS). The assembly included sessions that enabled us to review the project’s progress, discuss any issues and future steps, identify new growth opportunities and links to be strengthened, and support interaction among consortium members.
Dr. Fai Ng, IDEA-FAST Coordinator, holding the introductory presentation to the Assembly.
More than 100 participants from over 50 partner organizations took part in the sessions, in person and online, including participants in our Clinical Observational Study (COS). The assembly included sessions that enabled us to review the project’s progress, discuss any issues and future steps, identify new growth opportunities and links to be strengthened, and support interaction among consortium members.
All work package leaders gave an overview of the past year’s project endeavours and discussed next steps, in collaboration with other work packages.
One of the highlights of the assembly included a patient Q&A session, chaired by Dr. Andrea Pilotto. Around 20 COS participants from the Brescia area were invited to attend the session to share their experiences. The session was also streamed, and additional participants joined online.
Dr. Andrea Pilotto from University of Brescia explaining the tenets of the project to the Clinical Observational Study participants
IDEA-FAST Project partners and COS study coordinators alongside some of the Brescia participants.
During this Q&A, after an overview presentation of the project, current endeavours, and the COS goals to the invited patients from the Brescia area, the patients had the opportunity to ask questions to the consortium members, and provide feedback on their experiences during the COS. The conversation also touched on treatment personalisation, the rationale behind focusing on specific conditions, and how the project’s outcomes could benefit a broader range of diseases.
Patients shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of the IDEA-FAST project in enhancing the management and understanding of their conditions. The discussion between the project partners and the patients not only answered our patients’ questions, but also raised interesting points within the framework of the project, which we aim to address as we progress.
The assembly also featured posters from consortium members, and attendees could vote on their favourites.
On the second day, we discussed the implications of the upcoming European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation for IDEA-FAST, we advanced the discussion on the sustainability of project results after the end of the funding period, and we explored different use-cases and scenarios for our proposed digital measures beyond clinical trials.
The winners of the poster sessions are from left to right: Andrea Rizzardi, Johanna Graeber, Chloe Hinchliffe
We are excited about the progress we have made so far on all fronts, especially on the recruitment of more than 1100 patients for the Clinical Observational Study, more than halfway towards our 2000 patient goal. We are all working in close collaboration to achieve our goals within the project’s timeframe, and to ensure a lasting impact after the project’s conclusion.
The IDEA-FAST consortium.
