8th conference "The future of care": Bayern Innovativ

The sustainable transformation of the healthcare system and nursing care in particular poses complex challenges for professional practice, science, politics and society. Digitalization in care is not an end in itself, but a decisive lever for sustainable care: it offers opportunities for relief, quality assurance, participation and new care models - but also requires a critical examination of questions of security, sovereignty and meaningfulness.

The 8th conference of the Future of Care Cluster focuses on the topic of "Digital transformation: smart, secure, sovereign!" and sees these challenges as a shared mission: How can the digital transformation in care be shaped in a sustainable, responsible and innovative way? What technological, organizational and ethical impulses are needed to make care facilities more resilient, humane and efficient? How can nursing practice itself become an active co-creator of this change?

The conference offers space for interdisciplinary impulses, critical discourse and concrete solutions. It links practice, science, technology development and politics with the aim of jointly shaping the digital future of care in such a way that it serves people - smartly, safely and confidently. We cordially invite the interested (specialist) community to take part in the 8th conference "Future of Care - Digital Transformation: smart, secure, sovereign!" and to actively shape it with their expertise, experience and perspectives.

Following the first day of the conference, a networking meeting will take place in the historic town hall in Nuremberg on March 3 from 6 p.m. In the special historic atmosphere of the council chamber, the evening offers ideal opportunities for in-depth professional exchange and networking across disciplines and institutions. A joint dinner, music and a photo box will provide a suitable setting to get into conversation and make new contacts. Participation can be booked as an additional option via the online store.

Program 03 March 2026

Below you can download the program of the 1st conference day as a PDF file

You can download the detailed program here (1st conference day)

You can find the detailed program here.

Networking and meeting: Networking meeting in the historic town hall in Nuremberg

Following the first day of the conference, a networking meeting will take place on March 3 from 6 p.m. in the historic town hall in Nuremberg. In the special historical atmosphere of the council chamber, the evening offers ideal opportunities for in-depth professional exchange and networking across disciplines and institutions. A communal dinner, music and a photo box provide a suitable setting to get into conversation and make new contacts. Participation can be booked as an additional option via the online store.

Program 04. March 2026

Below you can download the program of the 2nd conference day as a PDF file

You can download the detailed program here (2nd conference day)

General plan

Conference band

Konferenzband-Zukunft-der-Pflege-2026.pdf

Report on the 8th Future of Care Conference

On March 3 and 4, 2026, the 8th "Future of Nursing" conference took place at the Nuremberg Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences. The event, organized by the Nuremberg Nursing Practice Center (PPZ), attracted around 250 participants from nursing practice, science, politics and industry. With over 90 scientific submissions and eleven exhibitors, it underlined its role as a central platform for knowledge transfer and networking.

Motto and key topics
Under the motto "Digital transformation - smart, secure, confident", the two-day event focused on the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. The agenda covered the relevant topics of knowledge transfer and implementation, technological innovations such as telecare, AI, robotics and fall prevention, skills development, financing and ethical issues. Specific solutions and needs were identified together.
"Our motto focuses on how technology can really improve everyday care. Smart through early dialog between developers and users. Secure through consistent data protection and IT security. Confident, when care professionals and those affected are empowered to use technologies competently and confidently," summarizes Marlene Klemm, Head of the Nuremberg Care Practice Center.

Programme and formats
A varied programme enriched with workshops, short paper sessions, a poster exhibition, an innovation competition, "Meet the Podcaster" and "Meet the Influencer", an organized session and a scientific networking meeting offered plenty of space for dialogue and exchange in order to make practical change visible. Renowned experts provided impulses on ethics in the digital transformation, qualifications for future care and innovations. The exhibiting companies presented relevant products and services for practical use.
Prof. Dr. Vera Antonia Büchner, Chair of Management in Healthcare at Nuremberg Institute of Technology Georg Simon Ohm, emphasizes: "With over 90 abstracts, the 8th 'Future of Care' conference demonstrates the high scientific resonance and interdisciplinary breadth of current care research. It combines empirical studies, evaluation approaches and practice transfer in a dialog between science and care practice - for evidence-based further development of digital innovations in care."

Exchange and networking
Professionals, researchers and decision-makers used the platform to collaborate, share experiences and gather new ideas. The diversity of perspectives encouraged practical discussions and joint approaches to solutions.
Marina Iftner, Project Manager at Bayern Innovativ, is certain: "Innovation in care arises where technology meets practice: the 8th 'Future of Care' conference connects science, practice, politics and technology development in order to further develop digital solutions in a practical way and implement them sustainably - for sustainable care that relieves the burden on carers and serves people."

Results and outlook
The conference made it clear that digital transformation combines technological, qualification, organizational and ethical aspects. The impetus will be incorporated into the "Future of Care" cluster funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and will be taken up in future transfer activities.
Conclusion and outlook
With 250 participants, over 90 presentations and eleven exhibitors, the conference sent out a strong signal for the digital transformation of care. The 9th "Future of Care" conference will take place on April 13 and 14, 2027 in Hanover.