Digital health that works in the north – four countries join forces in Tromsø
How can digital technology help working people stay healthy, even in areas where distances are long and services are far away?
That is the question researchers and experts from Finland, Norway, Sweden and Ireland are working to answer through the EU-funded Tech2Heal project.
This week, the partners are meeting at the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research in Tromsø for professional discussions, knowledge sharing, and visits to local innovation ecosystems.
Joint efforts for better occupational health
Tech2Heal seeks to understand why people go on sick leave or exit working life early due to health and wellbeing—and how digital technology can help.
The aim is to provide better support for employees and the self-employed, and to contribute to smarter health and labour-market policy in the North.
“By sharing knowledge and bringing in diverse perspectives, the partnership ensures that solutions are grounded in a broad understanding of common regional challenges. That shortens the path to measures that actually work,” says Nick Timmons, Academic Director WiSAR Lab, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland.
From research to real-world solutions
The project combines qualitative and quantitative methods with sensor technology that can track the balance between work and private life.
The Tech2Heal team includes clinicians, technologists, sociologists, psychologists, economists, occupational therapists and engineers—in other words, an interdisciplinary mix of experts laying the groundwork for pilot projects and new digital tools.
“This is about using technology wisely so we can prevent health problems before they push people out of working life,” says Rune Pedersen, Professor at the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research.
Northern Norwegian innovation in practice
The visit also offers insight into Northern Norway’s technology ecosystem.
Partners will visit Nattugla, ABEL Technologies og FOSS – Skills and Simulation Centre at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
Here, they will see how digital solutions can support safer patient care, stronger skills development and more effective follow-up in the health services.
“Tromsø, Northern Norway and the High North offer a unique testbed for e-health. Challenges are confronted up close here, adding extra value to the research,” says Ove Lintvedt, Senior Researcher at the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research.
He holds degrees in IT engineering and business administration, and is a licensed clinical psychologist specialising in adult clinical psychology.
Why this matters in the North
Services that help people return to work are under pressure. They are often costly and, across large geographic areas with dispersed populations, can be difficult to access.
Through Tech2Heal, the northern countries are collaborating to develop and share digital solutions that actually work, regardless of where people live.