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Project overview
Establishment of sustainable structures for the deployment of innovations, transfer of technologies, and knowledge in health care systems in CE based on OI 2.0 principles.
Health care has to digitalise to cope with an aging population and a growing number of patients with chronic diseases. Digital solutions often exist but their transfer from one ecosystem to another remains challenging. The Health Labs4Value project supported the transfer of digital solutions through living labs. These brought together health care organisations and companies as well as policy makers and patients to jointly improve the introduction of patient-oriented digital solutions.
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2,19m €
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Project Budget
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80%
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of the Budget is funded by ERDF
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6
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Countries
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7
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Regions
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11
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Partners
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5
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Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
The project established five territorial living labs in Hungary, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. The living labs functioned as collaborative spaces where healthcare organisations, companies, policymakers, patients and their families co-created and tested digital solutions aimed at improving patient care.
At territorial level, the living labs identified concrete challenges and addressed local needs, while at the same time being connected through a transnational network that enabled knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences. This network was coordinated by the Austrian knowledge partner.
The project contributed to empowering patients and their families to help reduce cases of inappropriate care and related costs, improved patient safety, and supported a shift from a disease-centred to a person-centred approach. It also strengthened cooperation along the healthcare value chain of the healthcare system.
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
Central Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency Nonprofit Ltd.
Project partner
Total partner budget
137,200 €
MedTech – Chamber of Medical Technology and Services
Address
Dimičeva ulica 13 1000 Ljubljana
Country
Slovenia (SI) Web
www.gzs.si; https://medtechslovenija.gzs.si/
Total partner budget
226,800 €
Total partner budget
148,400 €
Total partner budget
238,000 €
Address
Fetscherstr. 74 01309 Dresden
Country
Germany (DE) Web
https://www.uniklinikum-dresden.de/de
Total partner budget
193,200 €
Department of International Projects
Total partner budget
226,800 €
Total partner budget
138,600 €
Total partner budget
189,000 €
Total partner budget
148,400 €
Total partner budget
228,200 €
Roadmap
1
Identified Problem
The project addressed growing challenges in healthcare systems across Central Europe, including ageing populations, increasing numbers of chronic patients, and rising pressure on healthcare services. These trends highlighted the need for more patient-oriented and digitally supported healthcare solutions.
2
Core Challenge
Although innovative digital healthcare solutions already exist, their transfer and adoption across regional healthcare ecosystems remain limited. Differences in organisational structures, stakeholder needs, and healthcare processes often hinder effective implementation and reduce potential benefits for patients and healthcare providers.
3
Creative Idea
How can digital healthcare solutions be adapted to different regional contexts while actively involving patients, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and innovators in their development and testing?
4
Our Solution
Health Labs4Value addressed this challenge by establishing territorial Living Labs connected through a transnational network. These Living Labs supported the co-creation, testing, validation, and transfer of patient-oriented digital solutions based on Value-Based Healthcare principles.
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Implementation
Five territorial Living Labs were established in Hungary, Slovenia, Czechia, Germany, and Poland. Local stakeholders jointly identified healthcare challenges and developed tailored digital solutions, while the transnational network enabled continuous knowledge exchange, peer learning, and cooperation among regions.
6
Achieved Results
The project successfully implemented five Living Labs and piloted five patient-oriented digital solutions in real healthcare settings. Patient involvement was strengthened, cooperation across the healthcare value chain improved, and Value-Based, person-centred care approaches were successfully demonstrated in practice.
7
Impact
Health Labs4Value demonstrated that Living Lab methodologies can accelerate the uptake of patient-centred digital healthcare solutions and foster sustainable cooperation between healthcare providers, innovators, researchers, and policymakers across Central Europe.
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Call to Action
Explore the Health Labs4Value results and discover how Living Lab approaches can support the development and implementation of patient-centred digital healthcare solutions in your region.
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
5 New Technical Solutions Based on Pilot Experience
The five solutions developed within Health Labs4Value build directly on the knowledge gained during the pilot phase and have now matured into concrete, scalable innovations applicable across Central Europe. While a full transition towards Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) still requires systemic change and long-term commitment beyond the scope of this project, these outputs represent a decisive milestone. They provide validated, patient-centred approaches that demonstrate both feasibility and impact, thereby laying the groundwork for broader adoption and sustainable transformation of healthcare systems in the region.
Type of output: Solutions
- Hungary: Optimising In- and Outpatient Care Processes
- Poland: Reducing Patient Service Time through Digitalisation
- Slovenia: Improving Home-Based Rehabilitation for Patients with Injuries
- Czech Republic: Improving Care for Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries
- Germany: Supporting Independent Living for Elderly Patients
- Joint Summary Of New Technical Solutions
Transnational Strategy for Network of Health Labs4Value 2035
The project partners have jointly developed a strategic framework for the Transnational Network of Territorial Health Labs4Value, setting out a shared vision until 2035. The framework addresses both the common challenges faced by the network and the specific territorial challenges of individual Health Labs4Value initiatives. It defines clear strategic objectives and measurable impacts to guide the network’s long-term development and success.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Jointly Developed Final Action Plans of Territorial Health Labs4Value
While all participating regions share a common overall goal, their healthcare ecosystems face distinct territorial challenges. To respond to these specific contexts, tailored territorial Action Plans have been developed for each Health Labs4Value initiative, translating the shared strategic framework into concrete, place-based actions.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Health Labs4Value
Priority 1: Cooperating for a smarter central Europe
SO 1.1: Strengthening innovation capacities in central Europe
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Project on social media
Project contact
István Hegedűs
Email: istvan.hegedus@kdriu.hu