Shift the Culture. Use the Data.

Germany – like many other countries – is struggling to make effective use of health data – often due to a lack of trust, but also due to technical limitations. Artur Olesch talks to Professor Dr. Nachtigall about her experiences in Israel and why self-service platforms can empower healthcare professionals to use data meaningfully and securely.

Professor Nachtigall, you’ve explored innovative models for health data use – including in Israel, where one solution stood out to you...
Yes – the ADAMS Center by MDClone. It’s an innovative, self-service data exploration environment that enables global research and collaboration in healthcare. It allows users to ask direct questions of their organizational data, using synthetic data in a secure, dynamic analytics environment. The ADAMS Center is already in use in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Israel. Leading hospitals are collaborating with it – across borders.

Artur Olesch talks to…
The internationally recognized journalist and editor, specializing in healthcare digitalization, talks on behalf of Lemonmint to Those Who Make.

Also in Switzerland… What opportunities do you see for Germany?
The potential is huge. If we can manage to securely and systematically collect health data and analyze it quickly, healthcare and research could reach a whole new level – especially in translational medicine, where scientific insights are rapidly applied to patient care.

MDClone also works with synthetic data. What fascinates you about that?
Synthetic data solves a key problem: data privacy. Many people are willing to share their health data for research, but fear misuse. Synthetic data replicates the statistical behavior of real data but cannot be traced back to individuals. It enables research and innovation without compromising privacy.

Israel is seen as a pioneer in digital health. What can we learn from them?
Israel takes a different approach to innovation – it tests quickly and adjusts as needed, whereas in Germany, we often deliberate and perfect endlessly before taking action. In Israel, it’s widely understood that health data can save lives. Their healthcare system uses data consistently to improve care and optimize therapies. German decision-makers often return from Israel inspired – but implementation back home gets stuck in bureaucracy and privacy concerns.

How can collaboration be improved?
Currently, universities, non-university research institutions, and companies work in silos. There are many competing interests – universities compete, companies want to retain control over their own data. We need more cooperation, shared standards, and aligned processes to unlock the full potential of the data. The goal must be a functioning infrastructure for secure data exchange – with a clear legal framework and active patient involvement. People need to understand how their data contributes to better treatment. Only through collaboration among hospitals, research, industry, and policymakers can we create real added value.

What would be the biggest gain?
Greater patient safety and more personalized, data-driven medicine. Currently, we often work based on assumptions and outdated guidelines due to the lack of real-time data. Better data would allow us to analyze which therapies truly work in practice, identify side effects, and tailor treatments to individuals. That would improve care quality and reduce costs over the long term.

Finally, how optimistic are you about Germany’s future in this area?
I’m cautiously optimistic. We’re on the right path, but we need a real cultural shift. Health data must not be seen only as a risk, but as an opportunity. If we create the right structures now and finally take action, Germany could take a leading role in digital medicine in the years to come.

Prof. Dr. Irit Nachtigall has been Head of Translational Research, Education, and Collaboration at Vivantes since June 2024 and holds a W3 professorship in Infectious Diseases at the Medical School Berlin since September 2023. She also hosts the podcast DatenDurchBlick, where she explores the digital transformation of healthcare.

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