Medical technology and IT (information technology) are increasingly converging and driving the digital revolution in healthcare. The advantages are already clear: robot-assisted surgical procedures will have been used in over 16 millionen operations worldwide by 2024 – a strong indication of the potential this technology has for the future of surgery.
In Germany, too, the use of systems such as Da Vinci is steadily increasing.
Imaging techniques are also already generating so much data that artificial intelligence (AI) is being used for data analysis and initial diagnoses.
At the same time, wearables are driving the personalisation of medicine and offering patients a level of care that is virtually impossible to provide with human staff alone. The advantages are evident: they continuously record vital signs, issue warnings and make recommendations, both in private use and in hospitals. They can also support rehabilitative applications and relieve the burden on medical providers.
Robot-assisted surgical procedures have been proven to reduce the length of hospital stays, thereby relieving the burden on hospital capacities. In addition, complication rates and rehospitalisations can be minimised. Finally, a study by the Technical University of Berlin shows that assistance systems often make better decisions on their own. The precision of the technology already surpasses that of humans, who tend to intervene correctively out of uncertainty or overconfidence.
Challenges
Despite the progress made, key hurdles remain. When it comes to diagnosing findings, AI systems still operate like a black box, meaning that doctors are rarely able to understand how a diagnosis is reached. Another key problem is financing: in many hospitals, there is a significant gap between the high investment requirements and the available funds. Although funding programmes such as the Hospital Future Act (KHZG) are an important first step – robotic assistance systems have been included as a funding criterion, for example – they do not offer a long-term perspective for continuous modernisation.
Med-tech providers also face financial challenges. In addition, the industry is confronted with extensive regulatory requirements. According to the BVMed Autumn Survey 2025 BVMed Autumn Survey 2025, 86% of the companies surveyed would like to see less bureaucracy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular quickly reach their limits due to the multitude of regulations and high investment requirements. This is particularly relevant as the medical technology industry consists mainly of SMEs.
At the same time, modern medical technology is becoming increasingly complex: today's devices are essentially highly complex IT systems that communicate with cloud infrastructures, use machine learning and integrate seamlessly into digital health ecosystems. Today, an MRI scanner is as much a software product as it is a medical device. This also increases the importance of cybersecurity, interoperability and data management. Here, too, SMEs are particularly called upon to contribute their core competencies in cooperation with IT companies or to seek advice from external providers. At the same time, various support programmes are available in Germany, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, to help them overcome these technological and organisational challenges.
Opportunities for cooperation
Research and development cooperation
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR)), for example, supports SMEs in medical technology that operate in an extremely dynamic environment and under very demanding regulatory requirements for medical devices. Programs such as the Medical Technology Specialist Programme promote networking between science and clinical application. Joint research and development (R&D) projects can thus minimise risks and accelerate innovation. Here, too, knowledge of the core competence of the respective project partners is important in order to simplify communication and thus avoid misunderstandings.
Strategic partnerships in product development
Medical technology companies contribute expertise in mechanics, materials and regulatory requirements, while IT companies offer cloud structures, AI algorithms and software development. Strategic industry convergence is giving rise to new solutions. On the one hand, through the development of AI-driven, automated medical devices, which are already in use as described above. Or through the development of (AI-supported) software for therapeutic and diagnostic solutions (software as a medical device).
On the other hand, support from cloud networks and data collection enables the development of digital twins, which offer significant advantages for research and treatment. They allow the simulation of therapies, predictive analysis of disease progression, personalised treatment decisions and the optimisation of clinical processes.
Networked systems such as the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which supports remote applications and personalised therapies, or software-based hospital solutions such as HIS and PACS also benefit greatly from interdisciplinary collaboration. However, the responsible and secure handling of sensitive health data remains a prerequisite.
Outsourcing and consulting
For SMEs, it can make sense to outsource IT structures or cloud solutions. External service providers offer cost efficiency, flexibility and expertise. Critical data sets that are collected and used in medical applications require separate consulting. The higher the quality of the data collected, the better it can be used in applications and research.
Example
An interesting example of successful cooperation is the company Diabeloop, a research team of diabetologists that has developed a self-learning algorithm for insulin control in collaboration with a laboratory for information electronics and university hospitals. The DBLG1 algorithm has already been incorporated into Roche’s Accu-Check Insight insulin pump and is now also available with the Dana-i insulin pump from manufacturer SOOIL with the Dexcom sensor, enabling highly precise, personalised therapy. The project shows how many partners are needed for modern medtech products.
For collaborations to succeed, clear governance structures, defined ethical standards and regulations are still needed. Cross-functional teams, iterative processes and safety checkpoints simplify collaboration.
Conclusion
The close integration of medical technology and information technology is central to the development of forward-looking medical devices and an efficient healthcare system. This poses certain challenges, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, but these can be overcome through support and targeted cooperation.
In addition, there is a growing demand for skilled workers with hybrid skills who combine medical technology knowledge with data analysis, cyber security, software development and regulatory requirements. Given the cross-sector shortage of skilled workers, a specialised recruitment consultancy can help identify skills gaps and develop appropriate recruitment strategies.
Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Medical Things and digital therapeutics are increasingly becoming the standard in medical care and must be integrated into corporate strategy. Cooperation between medical technology and IT companies is creating an innovative market of the future. A specialised recruitment consultancy supports this process by identifying suitable profiles, surveying the market and helping companies align their organisations with the digital future of medical technology.
