ChatGPT in Medicine: Recommendations for Responsible Use
Medical chatbots can already answer questions and suggest preliminary diagnoses. But do we know how to use them safely and with critical judgement?
Infarmed approves 190 clinical trials in 2025 and cuts average decision time to 32 days
Data confirm 'the strengthening of the country's position as an increasingly attractive and competitive destination for conducting clinical trials in the European context'.
AI now enables new self-tests for early signs of Alzheimer's and cancer
Start-ups are developing earbuds and AI apps for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.
When INEM fails to arrive in time
Despite repeated technical assessments, confirmed financial capacity and clear structural proposals, the SNS and INEM keep failing to deliver timely emergency responses. This analysis points to implementation gaps — weak governance, fragmented coordination between national and regional bodies, staffing shortages and poor resource allocation — rather than lack of solutions; the result is delayed care that harms patients (including expats) and undermines public wellbeing. Addressing the problem requires transparent accountability, an independent audit of operational bottlenecks, data-driven redistribution of resources and political commitment to implement already-defined reforms.
Gouveia e Melo calls for changes to health leadership
Admiral Gouveia e Melo has urged a change in health leadership, saying the Government should resign if it cannot resolve systemic problems in the healthcare system. He accuses the State of failing across the board, criticises missed deadlines for delivering results and calls for accountability and urgent action to protect patients and medical services. The remarks frame the crisis as a leadership and policy failure with direct implications for care delivery and public confidence.
Company backed by Ronaldo and Dalot signs partnership with Unilabs
Bioniq, a health platform specialising in personalised nutrition that counts Portuguese players Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Dalot among its investors and already has more than 300,000 users, has signed a diagnostic partnership with Unilabs Portugal. The diagnostic company will be responsible for carrying out laboratory tests for Bioniq users in Portugal.
Hospital-at-home: Garcia de Orta has 24 patients hospitalised at home
Ten years ago, Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada opened the first hospital-at-home unit. Today there are already 50 Local Health Units offering this service — a way of delivering healthcare to 400 patients receiving inpatient care outside the hospital.
New Year
In 2026, innovation will not be merely about implementing tools, but about ensuring they reinforce — and never replace — the relationship of trust between doctor and patient.
App analyses chemotherapy-induced hearing loss
Patients will be able to perform audiometric tests at home using a system developed by researchers at the University of Coimbra. Oncological treatments with cisplatin are associated with irreversible hearing loss.
The particle count that could change the fight against cancer
At the Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics in Lisbon, Pedro Assis’s team is developing a system capable of delivering radiotherapy more effectively.
Innovative project with simulators supports surgical techniques
Presented as an innovative, one-of-a-kind project worldwide, it uses simulators to support surgical techniques. The event was held in Braga, with 50 doctors taking part.