iDoc24 an example of innovative healthcare – VINNOVA report
December 2012 Stockholm. VINNOVA – Sweden´s Innovation Agency released their Healthcare Innovation report. The report highlights innovative healthcare companies in Sweden with great potential. This is what was written about iDoc24:
“Another innovative project developed by a Swedish company launched for the European market. iDoc24 is an award-winning project that was started by the Swedish physician Alexander Borve. The company, which bears the same name as the project has created the opportunity for patients to take picture of their skin lesions via their mobile phones and get a first instance advice by dermatologists; a triage service for skin diseases. In 2010 the service won two prestigious innovation awards, during the same week. One of the prizes was awarded in conjunction with the Mobile Healthcare Industry Summit in London, while the other prize was awarded in Karlskoga in conjunction with the Cut The Wire Awards.
There are several reasons why iDoc24 can improve and renew healthcare. To begin with, they are based on new thinking- “outside the box”, which larger health organisations have problems with. They are finding new ways to provide heathcare that not only can significantly improve efficiency, but also increase the availability of a first assessment by a doctor and in addition reduce risk of errors in healthcare by offering healthcare professionals a second opinion. Today, for a small fee iDoc24 offers the opportunity for users, effective, fast and safe second opinions from dermatologists. This allows individual patients to avoid getting incorrect diagnoses, which in the worst case can be fatal.”
At a time when the healthcare system is exposed to significant challenges, including an aging population and an increased migration to urban areas, increasing the importance of promoting innovation solutions to continuously further develop health services in both Stockholm and in Sweden. In order to illustrate and analyze the climate for innovation and development opportunities in the Stockholm healthcare trust, Stockholm County Council (SCC) and VINNOVA commissioned Nima Sanandaji to write a report.
Nima Sanandaji is a writer, a researcher and debates on public policy. The report should contribute to increased knowledge, and stimulate joint discussion of new ideas, innovative solutions and development of Swedish healthcare, in order to contribute to better health for the country and its people.
Download the report HERE
Tags: healthcare, innovation, mHealth, vinnova
