Project aims
DigiH4A aims to enhance the innovation capacity and uptake of digital health solutions, accelerating the digital transformation of NS healthcare systems for the benefit of citizens, society, and caregivers. This is achieved by integrating these solutions into NS-wide reimbursement schemes.
The DigiH4A project will tackle these challenges by developing innovative solutions, including novel reimbursement pathways, methods for monitoring health improvements and cost benefits of digital health, that will both be tested while collaborating with 20 solution providers.
The project aims to bolster the digital health sector's economic growth by ensuring NS-wide market access for solution providers, mainly SMEs. Additionally, it assists health decision-makers, care providers, and payers in integrating digital health solutions into healthcare systems through a strategic action plan, aiming to guide at least 30 stakeholders.
How do we do it
DigiH4A stands at the forefront of fostering digital innovation across North Sea (NS) healthcare systems, by enhancing the innovation capacity and adoption of digital health solutions. Through its structured activities across 3 work packages, the project specifically targets the integration of digital health technologies, with an emphasis on interventions for chronic diseases, to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. To fast-track digitalisation within NS healthcare, DigiH4A will devise a strategy to bolster support for digital health solution providers, primarily SMEs, and promote the wider uptake of these technologies. Additionally, the project will develop a freely available online guide, acting as a comprehensive checklist, to assist in evaluating the cost-benefit analysis of specific digital health solutions.
Better healthcare in the rural areas
In urban areas, healthcare providers generally have better access to patients. However, to ensure equitable healthcare access for citizens in rural areas, digital health technologies play a crucial role. By supporting the wider uptake of digital health, the project will enable citizens in rural areas to interact more effectively with healthcare professionals. Norway, with some of its remote municipalities having only a few hundred residents spread over vast areas, hosts the world's largest research and development centre in telemedicine and eHealth.
Furthermore, digital health technologies are instrumental in bridging healthcare access disparities, not just between rural and urban areas, but also among individuals of varying socio-economic backgrounds.
Organisation
DigitalH4A is led by Innovation Skåne (ISAB). This is the innovation company of the Skåne region (i.e. regional gov. of Southern Sweden). Together with private and public partners, ISAB guides and develops opportunities for innovation and growth that benefit the Skåne region and the world. ISAB focuses in three areas: Health/HealthTech, FoodTech, and Mobility.
With the inclusion of INN University in the DigiH4A consortium, partners from other North Sea countries can draw from Norway's exemplary model to bolster rural-urban healthcare connectivity via digital health solutions.
Read more about the project at DigiH4A - Digital Health for All's webpage.
Contact person
- petter.braathen@inn.no
Project management at INN University
CREDS (Center for research on digitalization and sustainability)
