Opening Dialogue Between Patients and Experts
On 30 January 2026, Zagreb hosted the co-design workshop “Thyroid – Small Organ, Big Questions: Open Discussion with Medical Experts.”
The event was organised by the Croatian Thyroid Disease Association (HUBS) as part of the InnoThyroGen project.
The workshop brought together patients, association members, healthcare professionals, media representatives and the wider public.
Its main goal was to encourage open dialogue and strengthen the role of patients in modern healthcare.
Exploring Thyroid Health from Multiple Perspectives
The programme combined expert knowledge with real-world patient experience.
Firstly, participants attended a series of lectures covering key aspects of thyroid disease and its management.
The topics included:
- modern technologies in thyroid surgery
- thyroid disorders during pregnancy
- patient support and primary healthcare involvement
- the InnoThyroGen Horizon Europe project
These presentations helped participants better understand both clinical and research perspectives.
Moreover, they showed how different disciplines contribute to improved diagnosis and treatment.
InnoThyroGen Co-Design Workshop Zagreb: Expert Contributions
Several experts shared their knowledge during the event.
Doc. dr. sc. Krešimir Gršić presented advances in thyroid surgery and explained how new technologies improve outcomes.
Prof. dr. sc. Tomislav Jukić focused on thyroid diseases in pregnancy and highlighted the importance of early diagnosis.
In addition, Dr. Jelena Pukšić Haubrih discussed patient support and the role of primary care.
Finally, Dr. Nikolina Pleić introduced the InnoThyroGen project, explaining its goals, structure and current progress.
As a result, participants gained a clear overview of both medical practice and ongoing research activities.
Interactive Discussion and Patient Engagement
After the lectures, the workshop moved into an open discussion format.
Participants actively engaged with the speakers, asked questions and shared their own experiences.
This interaction was especially important because it allowed direct exchange between patients and experts.
Furthermore, it helped identify real concerns and expectations from the patient perspective.
In addition, all attendees completed a survey on personalised medicine.
This activity provided valuable insights into patient awareness and attitudes toward personalised healthcare.
Impact of the InnoThyroGen Co-Design Workshop Zagreb
The workshop delivered several important outcomes:
- increased awareness of thyroid diseases and personalised medicine
- stronger engagement between patients and healthcare professionals
- valuable feedback collected through the survey
- improved visibility of the InnoThyroGen project
- new opportunities for future research and collaboration
Additionally, the presence of OTV Television helped extend the event’s reach and further raise public awareness.
Consequently, InnoThyroGen co-design workshop Zagreb contributed to both dissemination and stakeholder engagement goals.
Why Co-Design Matters in Modern Healthcare
Co-design workshops play a key role in bridging the gap between research and real-life patient needs.
By involving patients directly, projects like InnoThyroGen can better understand challenges and expectations.
Moreover, this approach supports the development of solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also practical and relevant.
Therefore, events like this strengthen trust and improve long-term healthcare outcomes.
Conclusion
The Zagreb co-design workshop successfully combined expert knowledge with patient perspectives.
Through open discussion and active participation, the event created a space for learning, exchange and collaboration.
As a result, InnoThyroGen co-design workshop Zagreb represents an important step in building patient-centred, personalised approaches to thyroid healthcare.
Stay Connected
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