SmILE Patient Advisory Board kick-off meeting

Last week, in Lübeck, the SmILE project held the kick-off meeting of its newly established Patient Advisory Board, marking an important milestone in the project’s commitment to participatory research. The advisory board brings together people directly affected by musculoskeletal conditions who are motivated to actively contribute their experiences, perspectives, and expectations to the SmILE project. The aim is to ensure that new technologies and research outcomes are closely aligned with real-life needs.

Introducing SmILE and the role of the advisory board

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the project coordinator, Arndt-Peter Schulz (Fraunhofer IMTE), and Alexander Katalinic, Institute Director at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH). They introduced the SmILE project and highlighted the importance of the Patient Advisory Board within the overall initiative. The opening session underlined the value of collaboration on equal terms and a shared understanding of patients as experts of their own lived experiences. Participants discussed what participatory research means in practice and how transparent, respectful cooperation between researchers and advisory board members will shape the project.

Project activities and patient involvement

Project partners then presented different aspects of SmILE and how patients can be involved throughout the project. Alexander Katalinic and Maike Schnoor from UKSH introduced planned interviews, studies and ethical considerations aimed at better understanding patient needs. Sylvia Jung from myoncare presented digital tools designed to support communication between patients and healthcare professionals, while Robert Wendlandt from BG Klinikum Hamburg outlined the development of intelligent implants and sensor-based technologies. Stefan Ecker and Matthias Münch from Fraunhofer IMTE explained how movement data and artificial intelligence can contribute to improved rehabilitation and long-term care. Silvia Orte from Eurecat highlighted the development of practical use cases, while Josip Luša from RISE introduced activities focused on communication, outreach and making project results understandable and accessible for patients and the wider public

Open and collaborative kick-off meeting

Patient advisory board members contributed enthusiastically throughout the meeting, asked critical questions and shared their own experiences and expectations. The kick-off event provided a valuable opportunity for patients and project partners to come together for the first time, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Participants also gained insights into the research environment through examples from ongoing laboratory and technology work, which helps to make the research process more tangible This open dialogue created a strong foundation for collaboration and highlighted the mutual benefit of bringing experiential and scientific expertise into direct conversation.

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