The healthcare of the future depends on technology, but above all on people. This was the message that emerged from the conference "Innovative Activities in Healthcare: Understanding Telemedicine," held in the "Piro" Room of the Salerno Local Health Authority (ASL) headquarters in Nocera Inferiore and promoted by the Campania Regional Council of the Order of Social Workers. The event brought together healthcare and social workers, professionals, and institutional representatives to discuss innovation, equity, and new care models.
Hosting the event was the UOC Governance of Telemedicine and Artificial Intelligence Processes of the Salerno Local Health Authority, led by Antonio Coppola, who in his speech emphasized the social impact of new technologies applied to healthcare. "Telemedicine is not just a technological issue, but a true tool for social justice. It means bringing care where there were previously distances, barriers, and inequalities," Coppola explained, emphasizing that the goal is "to build healthcare that is closer to people, more accessible, and more equitable."
During the discussion, the need to integrate digital tools, local communities, and social and healthcare services emerged strongly to address the major challenges of today, from the aging population to the management of chronic conditions and social fragility. "We are working on a community healthcare model in which telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and social networking work hand in hand," Coppola added, clarifying that "technology must serve the healthcare relationship, not replace it."
A key aspect of the debate concerned the role of social workers, identified as key figures in preventing innovation from remaining the prerogative of a select few. "Without their contribution, the risk is that innovation will remain for the few. With them, however, telemedicine becomes a tool for proximity, support, and the protection of rights," stated the director of the UOC.
The initiative is part of the implementation of Mission 6 of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and strengthens the Salerno Local Health Authority's position as a regional point of reference for digital healthcare and social and healthcare integration. This role, as reiterated in closing, stems from the local community and the dialogue between different expertise. "Hosting this conference at our Nocera headquarters reaffirms that innovation starts in the local communities and grows through collaboration between professionals, institutions, and communities. This is how we build a modern, but above all, fair, healthcare system," concluded Coppola.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
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