Health, demographic change and wellbeing - DigiCare4You

Introduction

LievenAnnemans.pngAn intersectoral innovative solution involving DIGItal tools, empowering families and integrating community CARE services for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and hypertension (DIGICARE4YOU) is a Horizon 2020-funded project. The objective is to develop, implement and evaluate an organizational, technological and public health innovation to empower families and integrate community care services in Europe for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and/or hypertension (HTN). Fifteen partners, including universities, a private company, and healthcare organizations, collaborate under the leadership of prof. dr. Yannis Manios of Horokopia University, Greece. Prof. dr. Lieven Annemans, together with his co-worker dr. Ruben Willems, of Ghent University takes the lead of work package 7 ‘Prediction Model & cost-effectiveness of the DigiCare4You solution’. The project is planned to start in Spring 2021 and will last four years.

Project description

Local community health centres in collaboration with schools will implement a non-invasive digital screening procedure (1st screening) targeting all families associated with the local schools. The adults identified at high risk for T2D and/or HTN will be invited for a brief medical examination at the community health centres (2nd screening) and those confirmed to be at risk (or patients) will be provided with access to an m-health lifestyle and counselling intervention, coordinated by the available community healthcare workforce. For both screening and lifestyle intervention, real-time monitoring will be applied to allow corrective actions when needed to refine protocols and ensure equitable and inclusive access to better health services for all segments of the population. Implementation, service and client outcomes, as well as cost-effectiveness of the project will be used to develop a prediction model to help decision makers decide on its future implementation and evaluate its potential impact on health system performance. These outcomes will further contribute to formulate guidance on the successful scaling-up or transfer of the innovative solution. Via co-participatory procedures, researchers, stakeholders and policymakers will promote capacity building for local communities and health systems and provide the evidence needed to support digital transformation of health and care in Europe.

Objectives

These are the objectives of DigiCare4You

  • To study and understand the local needs within and across community healthcare settings and other contextual factors, including legal, ethical, behavioural and social issues
  • To adapt the DigiCare4You solution and develop the relevant tools for the process, impact and outcome evaluation of its implementation
  • To implement and evaluate the DigiCare4You solution and apply regular monitoring to refine protocols and ensure adaptability, equity and effective uptake, while also considering e-privacy regulations
  • To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of the DigiCare4You solution utilising a prediction model to help decision-makers decide on the solution’s potential impact on health system performance
  • To define the key aspects for scaling-up or transferring the DigiCare4You solution to other regions or countries using the relevant tools
  • To work with key stakeholders to promote capacity building, develop a “Roadmap for Scale-up” and disseminate the DigiCare4You solution at a national and European level

Role of Ghent University

Ghent University takes the lead of work package 7 ‘prediction model & cost-effectiveness of the DigiCare4You solution’.

Website

www.digicare4you.eu

Contact

Prof. Lieven Annemans
Department of Public Health and Primary Care
Phone number: +32 476 24 11 44
E-mail