The province of Groningen is facing demographic challenges such as ageing and de-greening, which are putting pressure on broad welfare and access to healthcare. Especially in East Groningen, where socioeconomic status and health are worse than the national average, healthcare accessibility is a growing problemthe says project leader Esther Metting, assistant professor and expert eHealth at UMCG’s Data Science Center in Health, and the department of primary and long-term care. 'Within this project, we are leveraging the existing knowledge and collaboration with SMEs, citizens, and knowledge institutions to develop accessible digital care, which is crucial for improving livability and economic prosperity in the province,' says Metting.
The Accessible Digital Care Living Lab will focus on remote care, such as telehealth, to provide care in areas with care shortages, such as rural Groningen. Examples include consultations via video call, telemonitoring of physical measurements, and self-management applications. The project aims to make technology easy to use, improve care processes, promote co-creation with end users, and increase trust in digital care. Through a unique collaboration between SMEs, healthcare institutions, and knowledge institutions, Groningen aims to develop creative and effective solutions that contribute to better health, reduced absenteeism, and an improved economic situation in the region. The ultimate goal is to prevent a healthcare collapse and improve the province's broad prosperity.
The project started in October 2024 and runs until August 2028. The project is led by UMCG and includes partners such as RUG, Hanzehogeschool, and NHL Stenden.
Esther Metting is expert eHealth at the Data Science Center in Health (DASH), the central hub for data science, AI, eHealth, machine learning in the UMCG.
