Bringing Patients and Experts Together
On 19 March 2026, the Forum of Patients of Serbia (FPS) organised a co-design workshop in Belgrade titled:
“The Patient Journey in Thyroid Diseases – From Diagnosis to Treatment.”
The workshop gathered patients, healthcare professionals, researchers and stakeholders to discuss real-life challenges in thyroid disease management.
At the same time, the event aimed to strengthen dialogue and improve healthcare practices through a personalised medicine approach.
InnoThyroGen Co-Design Workshop Belgrade: A Structured Dialogue
The workshop followed a structured programme that combined patient experiences with clinical and scientific perspectives.
Firstly, participants shared their personal journeys, focusing on early symptoms, the path to diagnosis and treatment challenges.
Secondly, medical experts presented the clinical perspective, highlighting system limitations and opportunities for improvement.
Finally, a joint discussion allowed participants to identify key gaps and explore possible solutions.
This format ensured that both patient voices and expert knowledge were equally represented.
Key Challenges in the Patient Journey
Several important challenges were identified during the discussion:
- long waiting times for diagnosis and specialist consultations
- limited access to endocrinologists, especially outside major cities
- delays in achieving stable and effective therapy
These issues clearly show the need for more efficient healthcare pathways and better coordination within the system.
Early Detection and the Role of Primary Healthcare
Participants emphasised the importance of early diagnosis and prevention.
In addition, they highlighted the role of primary healthcare in recognising symptoms and guiding patients toward specialist care.
Moreover, there is a strong need for improved public awareness and education.
Screening initiatives, such as thyroid ultrasound campaigns, were identified as highly effective and in demand.
Personalised Medicine and the Role of InnoThyroGen
A key part of the discussion focused on genetics and personalised medicine.
Participants recognised the potential of genetic testing for earlier detection, risk assessment and tailored treatment approaches.
Importantly, the planned pilot genetic test within the InnoThyroGen project was highlighted as a major step forward.
This initiative supports the transition toward more personalised and precise healthcare solutions.
Patient Perspective and Support Systems
The workshop also highlighted the importance of patient involvement in healthcare decision-making.
In addition, the role of patient organisations and psychological support was recognised as essential.
These elements contribute to better treatment outcomes and improved quality of life for patients.
Therefore, strengthening patient support systems remains a key priority.
From Discussion to Recommendations
Based on the exchange, several practical recommendations were identified:
- improve access to specialist care and reduce waiting times
- strengthen the role of primary healthcare in early detection
- enhance public and patient education
- develop preventive programmes and screening initiatives
- support the use of genetic testing for personalised treatment
- involve patients more actively in decision-making
- improve data collection and healthcare registries
These recommendations provide a clear roadmap for future improvements in thyroid disease management.
Impact of InnoThyroGen Co-Design Workshop Belgrade
The workshop delivered strong results across several areas:
- valuable insights into real patient experiences
- clear identification of system-level challenges
- practical recommendations for improving healthcare pathways
- increased visibility of the InnoThyroGen project
- strengthened collaboration between patients, clinicians and researchers
In addition, the event achieved significant media coverage, with multiple online publications highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and personalised medicine.
Consequently, InnoThyroGen co-design workshop Belgrade contributed directly to stakeholder engagement, dissemination and long-term project impact.
Conclusion
The Belgrade co-design workshop demonstrated the value of combining patient experience with clinical expertise.
Through open dialogue and structured discussion, the event identified key challenges and proposed actionable solutions.
As a result, InnoThyroGen co-design workshop Belgrade represents an important step toward more patient-centred and personalised approaches in thyroid healthcare.
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