From 22 to 24 April, the Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE) team met in Brussels for a focused series of training sessions designed to strengthen collaboration, sharpen strategies, and reinforce our commitment to patient-centred healthcare.

We opened with a special training led by Stefan Gijssels, DiCE’s former CEO and current Chair of the Patient Expert Center.

A highlight was Stefan’s session, “Why Patients Must Be at the Heart of Healthcare Decisions.” Drawing on his extensive experience in patient advocacy, Stefan underlined the essential role of patients in shaping healthcare policies. His insights emphasised the need for healthcare systems to treat patients not merely as recipients of care but as active participants in decision-making. This led to a lively and thought-provoking Q&A session, during which participants exchanged ideas on how DiCE can strengthen its advocacy for patient-driven care.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to practical action. Through a dynamic, hands-on brainstorming session, the DiCE team worked together to define strategic priorities and outline concrete steps for the organisation’s future development. Every team member contributed expertise and ideas, ensuring that DiCE’s roadmap reflects a strong, collective vision. The energy and shared purpose were clear as we mapped out our next steps.

Author:

Nikola Mihinjač