DIGI4Care, a new initiative of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (Danube Region Programme), aims to redefine patient pathways through innovation and collaboration by testing, validating and strategically integrating digital and AI solutions.
By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation capacity, the project aims to bridge the digital divide between newer and older European Union Member States, as well as non-EU countries in the Danube Region.
| Leading Institution | Budget | Duration | Partnership | Targeted Diseases | Outcomes |
| Health Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University – HUNGARY. | 2.3 million euros | 2.5 years | 12 organizations from 8: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Romania, Ukraine. |
Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia and other cognitive disorders. | Digitally enabled integrated care model, action plan. |
Beyond the introduction of new technologies, DIGI4Care focuses on assessing the feasibility, benefits and added value of integrating digital technologies into healthcare processes such as technology assessment, financing models, data management, ethical considerations and workforce skills development. This approach ensures that digital solutions are effectively integrated into clinical practice and that healthcare professionals are equipped with the necessary skills to implement them successfully.
Four pilot actions will be designed, implemented and evaluated jointly and will focus on introducing digital technologies for prevalent conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other cognitive disorders. DIGI4Care harnesses the power of technology to improve the quality of healthcare services and patient outcomes throughout the healthcare continuum, from prevention, screening, primary and outpatient care to post-clinical, long-term and rehabilitation care.
The project also includes the development of a digitally enabled integrated care model and action plans to facilitate the seamless integration of digital technologies throughout the patient journey. These efforts will be supported by a digital knowledge platform and radar to foster ongoing sharing of digital health technologies. In addition, a pilot-validated data management model ensures comparability of results and facilitates future collaboration, while a dedicated dashboard enables data-driven decision-making for wider adoption.
In addition, DIGI4Care is creating a comprehensive training toolbox and university curricula to ensure that healthcare professionals have up-to-date skills in the use of digital technologies. Through capacity-building workshops in different regions and the development of educational materials, DIGI4Care aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and equip them with the necessary skills to effectively implement digital solutions in their practices. This holistic approach, as well as the formulation of policy recommendations, promotes widespread support for digital technologies in healthcare.
