Over the first 20 months of its operation in Greece, the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) smartHEALTH has been at the forefront of accelerating the digital transformation of private and public stakeholders in the healthcare sector. More than 50 organisations have applied for the hub’s consulting services, which include skills training, ecosystem development, access to financing and test-before-invest (TBI) services. Here’s a closer look at the challenges faced and the insights gained along the way.
Adapting to change
smartHEALTH has achieved impressive milestones, offering TBI services to a diverse group of organisations, including SMEs, civil society groups and public sector organisations like hospitals. Participants have had the chance to expand their knowledge of digital health while engaging with the broader research ecosystem through seminars and workshops. The hub has also organised several networking events to encourage collaboration between various healthcare stakeholders.
One key takeaway has been the importance of adaptability. Since organisations often don’t have fully defined requirements at the outset, being able to respond to their evolving needs is essential. Every organisation’s digital journey is unique: some are ready to leap into cutting-edge technologies, while others are just beginning to explore the benefits of digital solutions. Navigating these different stages of digital maturity requires flexibility and a strong commitment to delivering tailored services.
Insights from data and experiences
A preliminary analysis of the data collected during smartHEALTH’s first months of operation has highlighted several key trends. One striking finding is the difference between private and public sector organisations applying for services. Private sector entities made up 86% of the applicants and 90% of the contracted organisations. This suggests that public sector entities face challenges, such as bureaucratic constraints and a lack of prioritisation when it comes to adopting digital technologies. It is clear that more effort is needed to engage public sector stakeholders and raise awareness of the benefits of digital transformation.
Geographically, the majority of applicants and contracted organisations have come from Attica, Central Macedonia, and Crete, which together account for 45 out of the 51 applicants and 38 out of 42 contracted organisations. This concentration reflects both the location of smartHEALTH’s project partners and service providers, and a wider gap in digital maturity between Greece’s metropolitan centres and more peripheral regions. Reaching out to less digitally mature areas is essential to ensure all regions benefit from digital innovation.
Another interesting trend is the size of the organisations applying for services. Micro and small enterprises accounted for 82% of applicants, with 86% of contracted organisations falling into this category. These smaller organisations, including startups, are often more eager to embrace digital transformation as they seek to innovate and scale. In contrast, larger companies, which may have more established internal resources, show less interest in external support for digital transformation.
Looking forward to the next phases
The progress of smartHEALTH so far has been particularly encouraging, demonstrating the power of collaboration between researchers and service recipients. By working together, they have driven innovation with a profound impact on each organisation’s digital growth.
One of the hub’s most effective strategies has been its well-structured application process, which clearly defines the purpose of each collaboration, identifies the right team for the job, and sets clear performance indicators. Other best practices include simplified activity planning, a communication culture that promotes innovation and problem-solving, efficient resource allocation and involving specialised researchers to facilitate smoother interactions and enhance project outcomes.
While still in its early stages, smartHEALTH has quickly become a model for other hubs, and its ongoing initiatives are laying a solid foundation for the future of Greece’s healthcare sector.
For a deeper dive into smartHealth’s journey and detailed insights, read the full article here.
Details
- Publication date
- 17 December 2024