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Halmstad University establishes research programme in information-driven care

In the next few years, Halmstad University will establish a number of multidisciplinary research programmes to strengthen the University’s profile. The second programme to start is Information-Driven Care. The research programme is connected to the University’s focus area Health Innovation.

“Through information-driven care, we want to contribute to the transformation of healthcare to become more proactive, precise, participatory, innovative and democratised. A large amount of data is collected in today’s healthcare, and not using such data to improve care would almost be irresponsible”.

Mattias Ohlsson, Professor of Information Technology

An image showing a laptop, a tablet with digital information and a stethoscope. Photo

The decision to establish the programme was made by Vice-Chancellor Stephen Hwang, following a recommendation from the University’s Research and Education Board (FUN).

“I am very pleased with the decision to start the research programme IDC. The research within the programme is one of the most prominent at the University and constitutes a nationally leading research of its kind. The programme is the result of many years of persistent work and strategic recruitment. The strong and successful collaboration with both Region Halland and the industry is also central in the progamme”, says Stephen Hwang.

Possible solution to challenges within healthcare

Healthcare is facing, and has always faced, extensive challenges – an aging population, various chronical diseases, pandemics, a change in patients’ expectations and limited resources. The technical development around collecting, storing and processing data makes it possible to find solutions to these challenges with the help of data-driven methods, so-called information-driven care.

“The research programme IDC investigates and develops information-driven care solutions, for example systems for decision support in clinical practice. IDC has a multidisciplinary approach and addresses challenges related to the complexity of the development of information-driven care solutions, especially when it comes to AI systems, data, implementation and innovation challenges,” says Mattias Ohlsson, Professor of Information Technology.

The research programme integrates three different research areas: AI and machine learning, implementation research, and innovation science. Magnus Holmén, Professor of Innovation Science, emphasises the importance of the programme’s multidisciplinary approach:

“The research in the programme addresses the renewal and change of complex interdependent healthcare, corporate and technical phenomena. It is therefore important that researchers from different scientific disciplines work together to create practical solutions throughout the healthcare chain. At the same time, research must be deeply intradisciplinary based to ensure research of good quality.

The research programme has a very high societal relevance and may affect healthcare in a number of different areas.

“Through information-driven care, we want to contribute to the transformation of healthcare to become more proactive, precise, participatory, innovative and democratised. A large amount of data is collected in today’s healthcare, and not using such data to improve care would almost be irresponsible, says Mattias Ohlsson.

Text: Christa Amnell
Translation: Louise Wandel
Picture: iStock

Footnote. The first established research programme at Halmstad University is LeaDS – Learning in a Digitalised Society.

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