The healthcare systems in the countries around the South Baltic (SB) region vary, but they generally consist of a mix of public and private healthcare providers
Efforts are being made to improve the healthcare systems in the SB region, including through the introduction of e-health solutions, which may help to improve access to care and enhance the quality of healthcare services. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, accelerated the adoption of telemedicine and other digital health technologies in the South Baltic region, and has highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing common health challenges. Digital health trends like telemedicine and devices can be seen as a tool for providing health equality - socially, economically, demographically, or geographically.
The Socio-economic analysis of the Interreg South Baltic Cross-border Co-operation Programme 2021-2027 pointed to progressive aging process as the gravest challenge that the region will face in the future. This demographic change is undoubtedly a burden for the healthcare sector, especially with life expectancy growing year by year in all countries and due to growing possibilities to treat severe and chronic diseases. This puts great pressure to existing healthcare systems and digitized healthcare may help answer some of these challenges.
Consequently, the number of cancer cases in the SB region will increase in the coming years due to this demographic development. In ten years, cancer will be the most frequent cause of death in Europe, and the number of cancer cases will rise by 24% in 2035. This is the reason behind ”Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” and ”Cancer Mission” from the EU Commission.
Furthermore, cancer patients survive longer due to improved treatments and many patients have a need for rehabilitation to regain physical function and return to daily life after intensive treatment over often lengthy periods. The serious disparities in access to high level of care across the South Baltic region – due to distance to hospital, poor health, socioeconomic resources, social support from relatives, shortage of health care professionals or mental barriers – will challenge the quality and equal access to cancer care even more in the future.
The project partners are convinced that digitalisation in healthcare can make it more accessible for everyone and provide innovative solutions, which can reduce the number of hospital visits and improve delivery of high-quality care and rehabilitation. But digital solutions can provide continuity of care, which may save the patients’ travel time and costs, reduce the risk of infections for immunocompromised patients and reduce negative consequences caused by the omitted or delayed in-person appointments.
By adding digital solutions, an improved and truly patient-centered care may be provided, while resources are freed up for patients who will still need in-person contacts.
Project partners plan to carry out cross-border pilot actions aimed at digitalization of the cancer patient’s journey by testing already existing ICT solutions. This will contribute to a joint cross-border model of implementation and cross-border promotion campaigns aimed at exchanging knowledge and best practices, and how to adapt them to conditions in each country.
The model of implementation developed in the project will take into consideration public acceptance and economic effectiveness of new solutions for all stakeholders, and thereby offer a list of activities and requirements for cancer care, with can be taken up by other regions too.
