Looking for a national process to introduce digital products and services in Swedish healthcare

The United Kingdom’s NHS (National Health Service) is actively investing in the digital revolution to enable patients and healthcare to benefit from the most useful products and services now presenting themselves. Its approach to a national process, the most progressive to be found today, may be a good model for us to follow in Sweden.

Uppsala BIO, together with Stockholm Science City and Region Norrbotten, is one of four project parties in the SKL (Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions)-lead project ‘Coordinated Implementation of Digital Products and Services’. The project parties are looking to develop, anchor and evaluate a national process for implementing digital products and services.

As the digital revolution within healthcare accelerates, many SMEs and other ventures are trying to understand the requirements for getting their products implemented and accepted by healthcare providers. This was one key finding from a pilot-study performed in 2016 by Uppsala BIO and Stockholm Science City. The result led to the above-mentioned project.

The knowledge that a national validation process had reviewed digital products and services and deemed them safe to use would also provide extra comfort and assurance to patients and caregivers.

Meeting with NHS in February 2018

To learn more, the project team recently arranged a meeting with the NHS in the northern city of Leeds. With them were representatives from many of the key players in Sweden, such as the eHealth Authority, Inera, Kommentus, the offices of government, SKL, the Medical Product Agency and TLV (the Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency).

“The NHS was really thrilled to host the meeting and share their experiences. They provided a valuable, extensive and detailed insight to their process and strategies”, noted Karina Tellinger, Coordinator and Strategist for e-health at SKL.

“The meeting was not only about learning more of the NHS’s approach for digital tools, but also a good exercise for us to discuss the challenges in Sweden and start a dialogue on how to move forward,” says Erik Olaisson, Project Manager at Uppsala BIO.

As a result of the meeting, the Swedish delegation decided to continue discussions about what digital products should be considered and who is responsible without delay.

Apps, wearables and medical devices

As digital products and services is a very broad category, it could include anything from Apps that register pulse, measure blood glucose or treat advanced psychological illness to online doctors. It’s therefore likely that different categories are needed and that different parties will be involved in national processes for implementation.

Suggest-Anchor-Pilot

The search for the holy grail, i.e. a national process(es) for digital implementation, is proceeding with full speed. During the first half of 2018, meetings to gather input and ensure project acceptance will include both county councils and SME representatives. Come early autumn, a draft proposal for a national process will be ready and then further anchored with all key parties in order to start testing (piloting). Testing is planned primarily at Region Norrbotten, but also at Innovation Akademiska in Uppsala. To make the effort worthwhile, it is also vital to identify and get commitment from future owners of the process to ensure that it is actually implemented.

“A dream come true would be to turn the project into a national programme during its course.” says Erik Olaisson.

The digital revolution – implemented

Sweden has a great tradition of innovation, with Life Science and IT being key areas of strength. The potential to develop and use digital products and services to improve health and lower costs clearly exists therefore. Now we just need effective ways to implement and use of all the innovative products now being developed.