“We want to show what AI can mean for healthcare”

For over 25 years we have been connecting organisations with the best marketing, communication and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or functions for junior, medior and senior professionals. In Spot On… we would like to introduce our colleagues to you. This time in the spotlight: Chantal van der Elst, Communications Advisor (ai) at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport since March 2020 on the Valuable AI for Health program and the Digital Access in Healthcare program.

Artificial Intelligence in healthcare

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used more widely. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is investigating how AI can make a valuable contribution to healthcare in the Netherlands. Chantal van der Elst works ad interim for the ministry in the Valuable AI for Health programme and the Digital Access in Healthcare programme. 

Making policy on AI

Chantal explains: “The Valuable AI for Health program helps healthcare providers map out the value of AI in practice. We do this in co-creation with the field. It is important that we listen to their needs and experiences. Input from the field is important, so we can help them get started faster.

The Ministry wants to know what people in practice need. The government did not yet have a policy for the use of AI in healthcare. The final policy must be in line with practice. That is the goal of the 'Valuable AI in Health' program.”

Digitalization in healthcare

“We are doing more and more online, also in healthcare. And that has to be done safely. For healthcare parties it is important that data is shared safely, for example by logging in to healthcare providers via a patient portal. 

Within the board, many specialists work in the field of privacy and information security. Together with a fellow communications advisor, I ensure that it is clear what is needed to provide secure digital access to digital services.”

Creative and commercial

Chantal grew up in an entrepreneurial family. Her background is in marketing due to her Commercial Economics education. She says: “After my education, I ended up at the Miss Etam Group. I learned a lot about business processes and collaboration there, but I couldn't do much with my education. There was no marketing department at the time.

I took my first steps in communication at a training agency. There I was given the freedom to set up this function. That appealed to me. It was creative, but also commercial. It aroused my interest in the story behind the organization and how you could make that visible. Eventually, during a reorganization in 2013, I decided to follow my entrepreneurial heart and start my own business.

In the beginning my assignments were mainly commercially oriented, but I also got more and more assignments with a social purpose. I find those assignments very nice. 
For example, I have worked for various municipalities to help starting entrepreneurs in the region get off to a good start and to help people with disabilities find work. So when I was approached for the role at VWS, I was very curious.”

Close to the practice

“With the Valuable AI for Health program, we want to inform healthcare providers and innovators about what is possible with AI in healthcare. We also want to show what is involved when you use AI in healthcare, for example in the fight against covid. We have shared various articles about this on the website of data for health (www.datavoorgezondheid.nl). We have also made a number of videos about what is being developed. 

When making the videos, I spoke to a pathologist. He is researching cancer cells. He showed on a large screen that AI recognizes certain cancer cells that people do not recognize so quickly. The images are greatly enlarged and the AI ​​indicates the cancer cells with colors. With these kinds of practical examples, I can communicate more easily about this complex subject.” 

Learn all about AI with a podcast

“We looked at how we could bring all the different topics to the attention. We came up with the idea of ​​launching a podcast. The first series is already ready and is on online!

In this way, we try to reach healthcare professionals and innovators who do not have time to read messages. They can now listen on the go or while doing laundry and still find out what is possible.

Within the ministry, podcasts were not used much, but I see more and more of them now. Colleagues even come to me with questions about how they can set up a podcast. In addition to the newsletter and the web editors, that is very nice to do. We see that the subject is alive in society and it is also increasingly in the media. I am very happy about that.”

“I am glad that Babbage enabled me to work in a government department.”

Good estimate

“Babbage approached me for this assignment and I thought 'Wow'! I really wanted to work at a ministry, but the deadline to respond was super short. Babbage helped me a lot to introduce myself to VWS. They made a good assessment of what would suit me.”

Even after I landed at the ministry, Babbage still contacted me regularly. They wanted to know how I was doing, even during the corona period. It was nice that I could occasionally share my worries. I really appreciate that I received mail from you with nice things to stay in touch.”

For over 25 years we have been connecting organisations with the best marketing, communication and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or functions for junior, medior and senior professionals.

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