"Better offers me a chance to become better"

"Supporting doctors and care teams in digital transformation is a huge challenge, but collaboration with many different disciplines, constant learning, and success in projects are the inspiration and reward of my work," is how Johannes Schmidt sees his mission at Better.

Johannes is the head of technology and innovation at Better Deutschland. He says that the decision to help set up the German office of Better was (and still is) an adventure, but that mutual trust, understanding, and consideration make it possible for the team of four to tackle the major challenges of the market. He says that working in digital healthcare was not his goal, more of a coincidence, but it is very interesting, and he says that the current technological developments are absolutely impressive and will also dramatically change the healthcare system – in a positive way. A father of two who enjoys music and cycling and is in love with details, Johannes shared with us his insights into the industry and his life. Read them in the interview below.

What inspired you to pursue a career in digital healthcare, particularly focusing on interoperability and integrated systems?

Entering the healthcare sector as a computer scientist certainly involves a lot of coincidence but also openness. During my studies, I also familiarised myself with biology and genetics, and when the opportunity to get into medical technology presented itself, I took it. Looking back, I could also describe this coincidence as luck. The healthcare system is very complex, and interoperability usually only exists on paper. So supporting doctors and care teams in digital transformation is a huge challenge, but collaboration with many different disciplines, constant learning, and success in projects are the inspiration and reward of my work.

Tell us about your journey and role at Better Deutschland and how you collaborate with your partners and healthcare organisations in the region?

The decision to help set up the German-speaking representation of Better was (and still is) an adventure! openEHR was hardly known in the region, not even to me, so the best way to describe our first year is "listening". My role in the company is a mixture of consultant, salesperson, and trainer. The topic of health data has many facets, but at the very least, counselling and training only work with a minimum level of knowledge😉. In the current project work with our partners, contributing my experience and knowledge is my top priority.

Germany's healthcare landscape is known for its strict regulations and unique challenges. How do you, with your colleagues, navigate these complexities to deliver innovative solutions and drive digitalisation in healthcare?

Fortunately, our area of operation also extends to Austria and Switzerland. Ultimately, in all the markets we work at, it is about reducing complexity and finding new ways of thinking. Innovations and improvements in individual use cases are the key.

Germany is also known for its advanced healthcare infrastructure. How do you see emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning shaping the future of healthcare in Germany?

I don't like the term artificial intelligence because I think too many people misinterpret it. Apart from that, the current technological developments are absolutely impressive and will also dramatically change the healthcare system – in a positive way. I think it is important to recognise in which areas AI can deliver added value and optimally support people, and then use it in that direction.

Better Deutschland is a separate entity with 4 employees at the moment. How do you keep the team connected, and how do you maintain the connection and communication with all the other colleagues in Slovenia and the UK?

That is a simple question. Some of us in the DACH team have known each other for over 10 years, so mutual trust, understanding, and consideration are what makes it possible for us to tackle the major challenges of the market in such a small team. Ljubljana is the heart of Better, and communication with Slovenia is excellent. In fact, we don't see ourselves as an independent team, we are more like the executing hand. And this image also applies to the UK. It is always good when the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.

What does your typical day at work look like?

Too many meetings and too little time. I love details, and details take time.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? How do you balance your work obligations with your personal hobbies?

I have two big hobbies – music and cycling. The good thing about music is that it also fits into short breaks between meetings. Depending on the situation, I like to listen to classical music or jazz. But sometimes a Beastie Boys song (Intergalactic) is also a must! Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to ride my road bike, as it is much more time-consuming. At the moment, my family and especially my two young sons are my sporting substitutes.

Reflecting on your career journey, what key lessons or experiences have shaped you into the leader you are today?

There are many experiences I could name, but If I had to choose three, it would be my first surgical accompaniment (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) as part of my first job at KARL STORZ and the fascination associated with it. The next one would be my first personal responsibility for a small international team at Caresyntax and the realisation that this primarily means listening to people and motivating them. And the third would be the long-standing collaboration with my mentor and good friend Björn Lehnhoff.

What does Better mean to you?

The company name actually answers this question – Better offers me a chance to become better. To learn a lot from my incredible colleagues. To be able to contribute to better healthcare for everyone through my work. And also to have fun at work and make new friends.