From 25 to 28 August, ESHPM hosted the 38th annual conference of the European Society for Philosophy of Medicine and Healthcare (ESPMH) - a perfect fit, given their acronyms! Maartje Schermer was the driving force behind the organisation of the conference.
Our own President of the Executive Board, Annelien Bredenoord, welcomed the participants with a personal note: the ESPMH conference was the first she visited herself as a young scholar. ESHPM is grateful to Annelien for her inspiring words. Furthermore, we would like to thank all participants who came from all over the world to attend the conference.
More than 170 philosophers, medical ethicists, and healthcare professionals from across Europe, as well as from further afield, including Canada, Australia, and Taiwan, came together to discuss their research and exchange ideas on the conference's central theme: 'How are medical knowledge and epistemology, as well as morality and ethics in healthcare, being transformed by technological and societal developments?'
This theme was also at the heart of the four inspiring keynote lectures delivered by prof. Tamar Sharon (Radboud University), prof. Judit Sándor (Central European University), prof. Vincent Blok (ESPhil), and prof. Lara Keuck (Bielefeld University).
In her lecture, Tamar Sharon discussed the dangers of "techno-solutionism", the tendency to redefine problems in ways that make technology appear to be the solution, using the example of the so-called "empathetic chatbot" in healthcare.
Vincent Blok likewise addressed the implications of AI in healthcare, arguing that these extend far beyond the familiar ethical concerns such as privacy but also, for example, influence our very understanding of health and disease.
Lara Keuck argued that concepts of health and illness have become intertwined with identity politics and that this in turn affects medical research and medical classifications.
Through an insightful historical overview, Judit Sándor showed the changes in how reproductive technologies have been ethically interpreted and politically deployed across Europe over the past century.
In addition to the many engaging parallel sessions, the conference reception and lunches at Maria's Cantina were also very well received. The social programme, which included a boat tour and a guided city walk, as well as the conference dinner overlooking Leuvehaven harbour, provided ample opportunities for our guests to enjoy the beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Rotterdam.
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Maartje Schermer organised the conference with invaluable support of Jessica Commins (ESHPM), Rebecca Spruijt (ESHPM), Annemieke van Tintelen (ErasmusMC), Eline Bunnik (ErasmusMC), Aldo Houterman (ESPhil) and colleagues from ESHPM M&C, and the ESHPM secretariat.
