Digital innovation in health has surged in popularity in the post-pandemic world. While innovators had previously anticipated its benefits, it has now gained recognition from health professionals and decision-makers alike. Digital health has become a popular term, not only among those who develop technology but also among those who use it and benefit from it.

Various studies highlight the relevance of digital health in improving equitable access to health services and the sustainability of universal health systems. Yet, from my early professional experiences in biomedical engineering, I’ve noticed that, unlike in many other areas where technology is rapidly adopted by citizens, we are still far from realizing the full potential of applications and digital devices in citizen-centered health services!

In the post-COVID-19 world, the idea of using a smartwatch, a mental health app, chatbots to communicate with healthcare professionals, or a home telemonitoring service is no longer novel. Still, it is disappointing that very few citizens use these digital applications in healthcare. In other words, the adoption of digital health innovations by both citizens and healthcare systems remains low compared to its current dynamism.

The low adoption rate is not due to a lack of supply. Enthusiastic and brilliant innovators worldwide are developing digital solutions with immense potential for health. Despite a plethora of solutions, the average citizen does not know which ones are worth using. Health professionals also lack sufficient information to advise their patients, and decision-makers managing health resources face the same issue. The bottom line is that we lack effective ways to measure the value of these solutions and agile mechanisms to evaluate their impact on people and healthcare systems.

Some European countries have started experimenting with different models for prescribing and financing digital health solutions, with these models varying between countries. The largest markets in Europe, Germany and France, have adopted “fast-track” models, allowing a certified medical device to be prescribed and financed by the national health system for up to 12 months. During this period, companies commit to developing scientifically validated studies that prove the value of their solutions for users’ health or the healthcare system. EIT Health in Portugal has launched a white paper with a reflection and call to action for the national context.

This fast-track model is innovative and aims to support the reimbursement of digital solutions in healthcare. To complement this strategy, we need innovation in evaluation and validation methodologies specific to digital health, allowing for agile and iterative methods that integrate the rapid pace of technological development. Additionally, funding is needed for certification and evaluation to enable a diverse market that generates ideas and opportunities for sustainable and universal health systems, rather than one dominated by large tech companies.

How to assess the value of digital health interventions? How to develop digital solutions with more value for citizens and healthcare systems? How to develop value-based payment programs for these digital health innovations? These questions motivated the VOH.CoLAB team to develop Worthmed, a collaborative tool for innovators, researchers, citizens, and health professionals who want to join. Our goal is to create knowledge and support innovators in evaluating their solutions, focusing on value for people and society.

“What is the value of digital solutions for healthcare?” That is the question we want to answer.

 

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