VPH team to present new research at VPH 2026 Conference
From media coverage and patient engagement to clinician adoption, VPH team members will present new studies exploring the societal, ethical, and communication challenges shaping the future of in silico medicine.
The VPH2026 Conference will not only bring together leading experts in in silico medicine from around the world. The VPH team will present new research on some of the field’s most pressing challenges, from public trust and patient involvement to clinician engagement.
Across two conference sessions, VPH researchers will showcase original work exploring the societal, ethical, and communication dimensions that are shaping the future of digital health.
“Trusted AI and modelling in health and care: ethical, legal and societal dimensions” Session:
3 September
08:45 – From Algorithms to Headlines: Media Coverage of In Silico Medicine
Davide Montesarchio will present the results of a mixed-methods study examining more than a decade of newspaper coverage of in silico medicine across six countries. The research investigates how the media portrays these emerging technologies and what this means for public understanding, trust, and science communication.
09:42 – More Than a Data Subject: Rethinking Patienthood in the Development of Medical Digital Twins
Zita Van Horenbeeck will present new empirical research exploring the gap between the promise of patient empowerment and the roles patients currently play in the development of medical digital twins. Drawing on focus groups and workshops conducted across several European research projects, the study highlights opportunities for more meaningful patient involvement.
“Integrated clinical–in silico case rounds” session:
4 September
11:36 – Clinician Engagement: Turning Survey Results into Actionable Best Practices
Janaki Raman R. will co-present a study translating survey findings into practical recommendations for improving clinician engagement in in silico medicine. Bringing together perspectives from social science, science communication, and clinical practice, the presentation addresses one of the key challenges for the field: fostering trust and supporting the successful adoption of computational technologies in healthcare.
These presentations reflect VPH’s commitment not only to advancing the scientific foundations of in silico medicine, but also to understanding how these innovations can be responsibly integrated into healthcare systems through effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based policy.
