World Patient Safety Day: In Conversation with Mehitabel Holler

To mark World Patient Safety Day, Mehitabel Holler, Patients and Research Manager at the European Heart Network (EHN), shares her unique perspective as both a patient living with cardiovascular disease and a healthcare policy professional. She underscores the urgent need to embed patient engagement into healthcare systems and cardiovascular health policy to ensure safer, more patient-centred care across Europe.

Her journey as a patient

As a young person living with cardiovascular disease, Mehitabel faced the challenge of a misdiagnosis that delayed her care. Her story reflects the reality of many young patients, whose symptoms may be overlooked or misunderstood. This personal experience shapes her professional role today, giving her both insight and authority when speaking about patient safety.

Patient engagement at systemic level

Mehitabel’s experience underscores the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis, clear communication, and ensuring patients are informed about their care. Moving from treating patients as passive recipients to engaging them as active partners is essential. While this shift is not yet fully embedded in healthcare training and systems, it must become the standard to improve patient safety across Europe.

The role of EHN

The European Heart Network works to ensure patient safety is recognised as a priority in EU decision-making and placed at the centre of cardiovascular health policy. By amplifying the voices of patients and advocating for systemic change, EHN is committed to building a safer, more responsive healthcare environment for everyone living with cardiovascular disease.