Bridging the health gap: AI improves access and efficiency in Nordic rural care
Monitoring and follow-up of patients in rural areas - also known as self-monitoring - is part of the Kontiki project, which has received funding from the Interreg Sweden-Norway programme.
Health crisis at a distance
In rural areas of Sweden and Norway, thousands of people live far from the nearest hospital. At the same time, the number of elderly and sick people who need regular medical follow-up is growing. Heart failure and other chronic diseases are on the rise, while healthcare resources are stretched to the limit due to staff shortages and an ageing population. The result? Long waiting times for patients who often rely on follow-up care in hospitals far away.
But a new wave of innovation is changing this reality.
'The goal is for patients with chronic conditions such as heart failure to feel safer and receive fast and targeted treatment,’ says Finn Samuelsen. He is an associate professor at Østfold University College and Norwegian project manager for the Kontiki project.
AI saves lives — and time
Artificial intelligence helps to learn a patient's symptoms and condition over time. When something changes, the patient can be alerted that it's time to seek medical help, and the patient can receive the necessary counselling. For elderly and frail patients, who often struggle to get to the hospital, this is a game changer. It means fewer unnecessary hospital visits and better use of resources in the healthcare system.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to detect, diagnose, predict, and in many cases prevent the deterioration of chronic conditions, however, healthcare professionals also need to follow up with patients or users,’ explains Samuelsen.
'Artificial intelligence has the potential to detect, diagnose, predict, and in many cases prevent the deterioration of chronic conditions, however, healthcare professionals also need to follow up with patients or users,’ explains Samuelsen.
Project Kontiki: Health for all, no matter where you live
The Interreg Sweden-Norway project Kontiki has set itself an ambitious goal: To make healthcare fairer and more precise with the help of AI. The goal is clear - patients should have equal access to healthcare, regardless of where they live and who they are. The technology will improve patient safety by providing more accurate diagnoses and at the same time relieve healthcare professionals so that their time and resources can be used more efficiently.
With this technology, the healthcare of the future can be just as accessible in rural areas as in big cities. It's about more than just technology - it's about giving people confidence and control over their own health.