Healthcare systems across Europe stand at a turning point. As patient expectations rise, clinicians and care providers face mounting pressure to improve speed, accuracy and personalization in care delivery. The challenge is particularly urgent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment and pain management, where delays, misdiagnosis and fragmented models have long left critical needs unmet.

For decades, autism diagnosis relied on lengthy in-person evaluations, subjective behavioral checklists and limited access to trained specialists. Pain management often followed a one-size-fitsall approach, constrained by inconsistent coordination and late-stage interventions.

Today, technology-led innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration are enabling earlier detection, more precise evaluation and tailored treatment strategies. AI-assisted assessment tools, advanced neuroimaging and standardized diagnostic frameworks are reducing wait times and improving accuracy for autism. In pain care, real-time monitoring, multimodal planning and predictive analytics are helping clinicians act before conditions worsen, improving quality of life while reducing reliance on opioids.

This edition of Healthcare Business Review Europe examines how cutting-edge tools and strategies are enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment precision.

Roger Staff, head of imaging physics at NHS Grampian, emphasises that AI’s value depends on access to large, high-quality datasets that reflect diverse populations. He adds that strong governance frameworks are essential to protect patient privacy and maintain clinical trust.

We hope this edition provides valuable insight and inspiration as you modernize diagnostic pathways, expand access to personalized care and set new standards for precision in autism assessment and pain management.