What Healthcare Could Look Like
Interview with Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt, CEO of LifeLink Medical GmbH
LifeLink Medical GmbH has quickly established itself as a leading provider in the field of diagnostics and relies on innovative models to revolutionize outpatient care. CEO Prof. Dr. med. Christian Schmidt, a specialist in surgery, discusses with Wirtschaftsforum the strategy of LifeLink Medical and the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation, and explains how artificial intelligence helps shape the diagnostics of the future.
Wirtschaftsforum: Prof. Dr. Schmidt, you have been with LifeLink Medical GmbH for about eight months. What motivated you to take this step?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: My motivation was to develop new models of care, particularly in the area of outpatient services. There is a great need in rural regions. At LifeLink Medical, we have the opportunity to create innovative solutions for patients and bridge gaps in care.
Wirtschaftsforum: What distinguishes LifeLink Medical GmbH and what goals does the company pursue?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: LifeLink Medical has committed itself to offering Diagnostics as a Service. This means that we combine various specialties such as radiology, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and pathology, including highly specialized areas like molecular pathology and specialized laboratories. We rely on the latest technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing. Our goal is to offer diagnostics at the highest level and thus sustainably improve patient care.
Wirtschaftsforum: How has the development of LifeLink Medical progressed?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: The company was founded about a year and a half ago. Initially, we focused on x-ray practices, but quickly expanded into radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Today, we are the market leader in the Aachen region and in Aachen itself. Since the beginning of this year, we have further refined our strategy and now offer comprehensive diagnostic services that include not only radiology but also areas like pathology and cardiology.
Wirtschaftsforum: What distinguishes LifeLink Medical from other providers in healthcare?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: We pursue a long-term, scalable approach that sets us apart from many competitors. Our DNA is to develop sustainable, regional supply models that work particularly well in rural areas. In addition, we employ people who have a variety of experiences, including from hospital management, thus bringing the necessary mix of competencies. This expertise is incorporated into the design of our care processes.
Wirtschaftsforum: What is the current structure of LifeLink Medical?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: We currently have over 1,000 employees and are represented in various regions of Germany, such as East Westphalia and Bielefeld, where we are also market leaders. Currently, we are also building a large cluster in the Lower Rhine area and have locations planned from Aschaffenburg to Darmstadt as well as in Munich. Our specialties include radiotherapy, radiology, nuclear medicine, and pathology. We deliberately focus on practices with a high level of specialization and academic spirit, which allows us to offer nationally recognized expertise.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does interdisciplinarity play at LifeLink Medical?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: Interdisciplinary work is a central aspect for us. Cases are discussed across several disciplines, which allows for better diagnostics and therapy. One challenge is to represent and manage this collaboration regionally. We rely on a common software system that facilitates communication and exchange between the disciplines, thus offering the patient a high level of treatment comfort.
Wirtschaftsforum: What philosophy does LifeLink Medical follow regarding innovation and digitalization?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: We firmly believe in the power of digitalization and innovation. One example is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in our practices. Our practice software works with an AI-supported call center system that helps us with scheduling and data querying. We also rely on AI in imaging diagnostics, for example in Cardio-CT, to further improve diagnostics.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are your long-term goals for LifeLink Medical?
Prof. Dr. Christian Schmidt: We want to grow organically, develop regional comprehensive care models, and further advance digitalization. Our goal is to extend the care chain for the patient and, following diagnostics, also offer therapy and aftercare. This could eventually extend into the homecare sector. Our focus remains on regional care, which is supported by digital solutions but always close to the patient. We also want to train our own staff, especially in specialized sub-disciplines, to ensure high-quality long-term care.