Medica Closing Report

Conducting a tour around the exhibition on 17 November German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal Health Minister Philipp Rösler were also able to convince themselves of the performance of the medical technology industry. "MEDICA is an impressive shop window on the health industry. However, our leading role in the medical business is not known everywhere. For this reason it is important for this sector to feature centrestage," explained Chancellor Merkel in her speech.

Alongside this high-ranking visit from members of the political sphere visitor numbers also confirmed the highlighted global status of MEDICA and COMPAMED as leading trade fairs in their sectors. Of the 137,200 visitors – matching the very good level also achieved last year – 72% were decisively or significantly involved in decision-making and a further 10% had a consultative decision-making role. For Joachim Schäfer, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, these top ratings are a logical consequence of market developments: “The number of clinic organising bodies is falling. This concentration of demand means the market is becoming dominated by ever-larger providers with centrally organised purchasing departments. Which makes those travelling to Düsseldorf especially high-calibre decision-makers.” About half the visitors came from abroad from a total of over 100 nations.

The medical experts from throughout the world were offered a wealth of innovations for the entire patient “workflow” in both in and outpatient care by a record attendance of 4,400 MEDICA exhibitors from 64 nations.

Once again proving a significant success factor at MEDICA was the event’s focus on meeting the increasing demands of the medical community for interdisciplinary cooperation with a comprehensive range of topics including theme parks and forums (e.g. MEDICA MEDIA, MEDICA PHYSIO) as well as the congress. “An example here were the well attended interdisciplinary congress seminars on such topics as the care of patients with several parallel conditions or complex symptoms like cancer, rheumatism or allergies,” explained Dr. Julia Rautenstrauch, Secretary General of the German Society for Interdisciplinary Medicine (MEDICA – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Interdisziplinäre Medizin e. V.) which organises the MEDICA Congress.

Efficiency through Innovations
In terms of the innovations presented by exhibitors “process optimisation” was clearly the most frequently heard buzzword in the halls of the fair. For instance, innovations from numerous suppliers focused on increased efficiency and flexibility in the operating theatre. In so-called “hybrid” operating theatres surgeons can operate and use imaging processes at the same time. This makes it possible to perfectly combine diagnostic and surgical procedures in one place. At the same time, an increasing number of computer-based support systems are finding their way into the operating room. The range here spans applications for the planning and simulation of operations through to navigation during operative interventions.

Also providing greater efficiency in the care process are innovations in the field of medical IT and telematics. In particularly high demand at MEDICA 2010 were solutions for smooth dataflow between the in and out-patient sectors.

“Mobile health” applications are also still very much on the advance. A range of compact and easy-operation devices for the recording and remote transmission of the most varied vital parameters were also presented at MEDICA 2010.

Very much reflecting the restructuring process going on in German health clinics the 33rd German Hospital Conference featured the key topic “Safeguarding Care – Contribution of Hospitals”. The numerous lectures, forums and practical seminars generated avid interest from the audience here totalling a good 2,400 participants.

High-Tech Solutions also at COMPAMED
Held in conjunction with MEDICA was COMPAMED, the international trade fair for the upstream suppliers of the medical industry. 575 exhibitors from 37 nations presented to the over 16,000 visitors a wide spectrum of technology and service solutions for use in the medical industry – from new materials, components, primary products, packaging and services through to complex micro systems and complete contract manufacture.

Next dates for MEDICA in Düsseldorf: 16 – 19/11/2011
Next dates for COMPAMED in Düsseldorf: 16 – 18/11/2011

23.11.2010