Bridging the Gaps in Cross-Border Telemedicine: Reflections on a Brussels-Leuven Research Journey
The rapid expansion of digital health has fundamentally challenged the traditional territorial boundaries of healthcare regulation within the European Union. While the promise of seamless cross-border medical care grows, the legal realities of managing patient safety, professional liability, and regulatory harmonisation remain complex. Supported by a UACES Microgrant, I recently spent three months as a Visiting Scholar at the Faculty of Law and Criminology at KU Leuven (March 2 – May 29, 2026) to dive deeper into these pressing challenges. This research stay provided an invaluable opportunity to advance my doctoral research, engage with leading European health law experts, and share my findings within a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic community.
Faculty of Law and Criminology – KU Leuven
Project Activities and Intellectual Outcomes
My time in Belgium was structured around translating theoretical legal analysis into concrete scholarly contributions and academic dialogue. A central pillar of my activities was the dissemination of my latest research on the intersection of EU internal market principles and digital health delivery.
During my stay, I finalised two major publication projects that address critical regulatory gaps in the current European healthcare landscape:
First, I completed an article titled “The Telemedicine Paradox: Why Data Moves but Care Does Not”, recently published in the the European Journal of Health Law. This paper examines how the legal framework for cross-border telemedicine remains fragmented and argues that for the EHDS Regulation to succeed, it must move beyond technical interoperability to address the underlying legal-ethical conflicts of digital sovereignty.
I drafted and submitted a second paper, “The Digital Scalpel in Cross-border Telemedicine: Slicing the Medical Act in DrSmile case,” which is forthcoming in the European Journal of Risk Regulation. This paper examines how corporate digital health models challenge traditional definitions of the “medical act” across national borders.
Beyond writing, the research stay served as a platform for continuous peer review and academic exchange. On April 24, 2026, I presented the core arguments of my DrSmile paper at the “Pitch Please” seminar series at KU Leuven. This interactive format allowed me to gather crucial feedback and recommendations from fellow doctoral students and senior researchers just before final publication.
A major milestone of my stay occurred on May 20, 2026, when I delivered my Doctoral Seminar. This milestone session allowed me to present the comprehensive legal framework of my Ph.D. project alongside the outcomes of my first chapter and drafted articles to the host faculty, marking a significant step forward in my academic progression.
Library of the University of Leuven
The Power of Proximity: How the Microgrant Supported My Development
The financial and institutional backing of the UACES Microgrant was instrumental in embedding my research within the geographical heart of European governance. Being based in the Brussels-Leuven ecosystem allowed me to participate in high-level policy discussions that would have been inaccessible from afar.
For instance, on April 23, 2026, I attended the fourth edition of the Health, Ethics, Law and Technology Symposium in Brussels, which focused explicitly on the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation. Engaging with policymakers and legal experts a year into the EHDS rollout provided me with real-time insights into how data portability and digital infrastructure are being operationalised at the EU level.
Furthermore, this stay facilitated vital cross-institutional collaboration. On May 28, 2026, I was invited as a guest speaker to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) by the Health & Ageing Law Lab (HALL) for their monthly HELT Talks series. This invitation not only expanded my professional network but also allowed me to position my research within broader conversations regarding digital health access.
Parallel to my individual research, the stay provided the perfect environment to execute my leadership responsibilities as the Co-Chair of the Young Scholars Interest Group (YSIG) of the European Association of Health Law. While at KU Leuven, I continued my work as a member of the Scientific Committee organizing the upcoming Young Scholars Workshop for the 10th EAHL Conference in Uppsala (September 2026). Additionally, I was appointed Co-Editor of the conference’s upcoming Special Issue.
A small glimpse of Leuven
Key Findings and Academic Learnings
My research stay yielded several critical insights regarding the future of EU health law, particularly concerning how cross-border digital health interacts with national jurisdictions. First, as explored in my forthcoming DrSmile paper, the commercialisation and digitalisation of healthcare are unbundling traditional medical procedures. When a medical service is split into digital triaging, remote prescription, and localised execution across different Member States, assigning regulatory accountability and liability becomes incredibly complex. Second, participating in specialised academic forums widened my research lens. It underscored that the regulation of cross-border telemedicine cannot look at market access alone; it must actively account for algorithmic bias and the fundamental right to equal healthcare access.
Moving Forward
The three months spent at KU Leuven, enabled by the UACES Microgrant, have been transformative for both my doctoral thesis and my professional growth. By combining intensive writing with active participation in European health law networks, I have been able to anchor my theoretical research in the practical realities of current EU digital governance.
I am deeply grateful to UACES, my host Prof. Steven Lierman, and the academic communities in Leuven and Brussels for their support, critique, and inspiration. The insights gained during this stay will undoubtedly shape my work on EU internal market law and digital health for years to come.
