The 41st International Conference of the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) is scheduled from 12th – 15th October 2025, at São Paulo, Brazil in partnership with Organização Nacional de Acreditação (ONA) with the theme of “Inclusive Health Systems: Navigating Challenges with Technology and Humanity”. This event will address critical issues shaping healthcare in an evolving world. The organizers have invited abstracts for the conference. The last date of submission is 26 February.
ISQua is dedicated to advancing global health by promoting the long-term improvement of healthcare quality and safety worldwide. Key topics will include the healthcare sector’s environmental impact, strategies for reducing carbon footprints, and building resilient healthcare systems for the future. During the conference, experts from across the globe will also delve into the transformative potential of AI and digital technology in healthcare, examining both its opportunities and challenges in enhancing patient engagement and revolutionizing care delivery.
ISQua has invited abstracts in the following Conference Tracks for the year 2025:
1. Patient Safety
2. Quality Improvement
3. Co-production – Creating a patient-centred healthcare service
4. Equitable and integrated care for healthy communities
5. Future of Healthcare: Innovation, AI and Digital Transformation
6. Workforce, Development, and Governance
7. External Evaluation
8. Climate Change and Sustainability in Healthcare System
Abstract Submissions might cover, but are not limited to, the following issues:
| S.N. | TOPICS | INDICATIVE SUBMISSION ISSUES |
| 1 | Patient Safety | Strategies and innovations to enhance patient safety in healthcare settingsHow social science can be used to improve safetyHow implementation science can be used to improve safetyPatient Safety tools and solutionsHuman Factors and ErgonomicsApplication of resilience thinking and Safety-IIPromoting a culture of quality and safetySafety issues in primary careCultural differences in SafetyLeveraging technology to enhance patient safety in inclusive health systems |
| 2 | Quality Improvement | How social science can be used to improve qualityHow implementation science can be used to improve qualityDissemination and scaling innovations and improvementsQuality issues in primary carestrategies and innovation for continuous quality improvement in healthcare settingsCultural differences in QualityThe use of technology to promote equity and personalize care |
| 3 | Co-production – Creating a patient-centred healthcare service | Co-assessing the quality of healthcare services.Co-designing healthcareCo-delivering healthcareTools to promote Coproduction (including External Evaluation)Coproduction involving the implementation of new innovations.Creating a culture of CoproductionPeople and planet.The importance of patient engagement and co-production in creating healthcare services that meet the needs and preferences of patients.The Balance technological innovation with active patient involvement |
| 4 | Equitable and integrated care for healthy communities | Patient CenterednessIntegrating care along the entire patient journey – partnering with the patientsPromoting cooperation and Coproduction between primary care, social care, and hospitals.Tools to promote integrated care (including External Evaluation)Safety and quality when working together across organisational bordersModels and best practices for integrated care, fostering collaboration among various healthcare providers to ensure seamless patient care.Aging populations and carePrimary care as the pivot of Universal Health CoverageHealth Justice – Equity of access, treatments, and outcomesDisparities between social groupsMental Healthcare and WellbeingStrategies to achieve universal health coverage and improve access to healthcare services for all populations with equity.Implementation Science |
| 5 | Future of Healthcare: Innovation, AI and Digital Transformation | Innovative trends and strategiesArtificial Intelligence and infrastructureArtificial Intelligence: the promises and pitfallsUsing patient-generated data alongside clinical data in routine practiceSimulation as a training modelImplementation & improvement of science to improve health and healthcare.Safety and quality of care provided remotely.Co-production and AITelemedicineThe impact of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and technological innovations on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.Technology as a support the creation of resilient and human-centered models |
| 6 | Workforce, Development, and Governance | Recruitment and retention strategies for the global crisis in healthcare staffingEngaging staff in quality and safetyEducation and Leadership Development in Quality ImprovementNational strategies for healthcare qualityReducing policy-led overuse and misuse of healthcare resourcesA culture of learningWorkforce wellbeingDevelopment, management, and governance of the healthcare workforce to ensure high standards of care and effective leadership.Meeting increased demand with available resources |
| 7 | External Evaluation | Reconciling standardisation and complexity thinkingChanges to assessment of standards in a post-Covid worldCo-evaluating and accrediting healthcare.Approaches to Certification, Licensing, and RegulationAccreditation and surveying as the cornerstone of improvementPerformance monitoringThe role of external evaluation, accreditation, and standards in driving quality improvement and accountability in healthcare organizations.The technology as a support the assessment of inclusive health systems |
| 8 | Climate Change and Sustainability in Healthcare System | Resilience PlanningGreen Healthcare InitiativesClimate-Resilient Healthcare SystemsClimate Change AdaptationSustainable Healthcare PracticesPreparing workforce for new care requirements due to climate induced changesAddressing challenges and strategies for creating sustainable healthcare systems in the face of climate change and environmental concerns.Fragile States, War Zones, Migration |
Abstract Submission ISQua 2025:
- ISQua has come up with an online submission system to guide through the submission of the abstract.
- Abstracts must describe original, previously unpublished and unpresented work.
- Scheduling of poster sessions and abstract presentations is at the discretion of the scientific committee. Abstracts will be organised into sessions using the topics chosen by the submitter in the online system.
- The candidate will be disconnected after 30 minutes of inactivity.
- The system will remain active only when pressing on “next” or “save”. Typing will not be NOT considered as being active.
The following link can be used to submit the abstract:
https://b-com.mci-group.com/Abstract/ISQUA2025/Submission/Index
ISQua International Conference: Who Should Attend and Why It Matters
The conference is ideal for healthcare leaders, clinicians, quality improvement specialists, policymakers, and innovators dedicated to advancing healthcare quality and patient safety.
Attendees include:
Healthcare Executives – Hospital administrators, CEOs, and directors
Clinicians – Doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.
Quality and Safety Experts – Accreditation bodies, quality officers, and consultants.
Innovators – Digital health, AI, and health tech professionals.
Academics and Researchers – Those involved in health policy and public health.
Government Officials – Public health administrators and regulators.
Patient Advocates – Representatives from advocacy groups and non-profits.
Why it matters?
Participants will gain valuable insights, a chance to network with global healthcare leaders, and collaborate on innovative solutions to enhance healthcare quality, safety, and patient outcomes. They will also learn about the latest advancements in healthcare and digital health innovations. It would also help in staying informed about emerging policies and regulatory changes shaping global healthcare as well as in understanding how to influence and drive quality improvement initiatives within healthcare systems.
Programme and Planning Committee:
Co-Chairs:
- Ezequiel García-Elorrio; ISQua President; Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)
- Fabio Gastal; President, ONA
Local Members:
- Gilvane Lolato, ONA
- Dr. Péricles Góes da Cruz, ONA
- Paola Andreoli, Brazilian Society for Quality of Care and Patient Safety
- Camilla Covello, Quality Global Alliance – QGA
- Nancy Yamauchi, Local Patient Representative
International Members:
- Jeffrey Braithwaite, ISQua Immediate Past President; Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AHIH)
- Salma Jaouni; ISQua Board Member; Health Care Accreditation Council (HCAC)
- John Brennan, ISQua Board Member, General Practitioner, Ireland
- Carsten Engel; ISQua CEO
- Anna Edwards, ISQua Patient Representative
- Figen Senel, ISQua 2024 Representative, TUSKA
- Mary McGeown & Kate O’Flaherty, ISQua 2026 Representatives; Irish National Patient Safety Office/ Department of Health
- Christian von Plessen, ISQua Expert; Unisanté, University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Lausanne
- Helen Crisp, ISQua Expert; Consultant – Crisp QI (UK)
- Stephen Balogun; ISQua Expert; Team Lead M&E and Data Analytics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Begoña Yarza, International Expert (Chile); SOCAS
- Teresa Tono, International Expert (Colombia); OES
Observers:
- Elaine Lacerda, ONA
- André Ruggiero, ONA
- Viviana Rodriguez, IECS
Source: https://isqua.org/events/sao-paulo-2025-international-conference.html
