Fraunhofer Center for Assistive Information and Communication Solutions – AICOSEnd-to-end Platform to Intelligent Health Management
Description:
Portugal’s healthcare system, much like that of other European nations, is under mounting strain. Ageing demographics and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases are driving demand, while public expenditure already consumes approximately 6% of GDP and is projected to more than double by 2060 if efficiency does not improve. The prevailing hospital-centric model is unsustainable. Care provision remains fragmented across more than 90 disconnected information systems, with limited interoperability between hospitals, pharmacies, and community providers. This fragmentation results in duplicated diagnostics, unnecessary costs, delays in care, and suboptimal patient outcomes. Meanwhile, citizens increasingly expect the same degree of digital integration and personalised service they experience in other sectors. Without robust safeguards for privacy, security, and data governance, however, trust in digital health will falter. ConnectedHealth is designed to address these systemic weaknesses and unlock the potential of an outcome-driven, patient-centred model.
The overarching aim of ConnectedHealth is to establish a suite of interoperable, customisable platforms that enable predictive, preventive, and personalised healthcare. Built upon advanced cloud, IoT, and artificial intelligence technologies, the project is structured into four complementary sub-projects: a smart hospital information system organised around the patient; an open IoT platform integrating devices, sensors, and data streams; a cloud-based pharmacy hub supporting personalised services; and a co-design and validation framework engaging patients, clinicians, and regulatory stakeholders. These initiatives collectively pursue seven strategic objectives:
> Automating clinical and administrative processes to eliminate redundancy and optimise resources.
> Deploying digital tools for personalised care across hospital and community settings.
> Integrating electronic health records and diagnostics to support evidence-based decisions.
> Empowering citizens through secure ownership and management of their health data.
> Ensuring user and stakeholder involvement to maximise adoption and usability.
> Measuring system-wide impact using clear clinical and operational indicators.
> Aligning with European initiatives on e-prescriptions and cross-border health data exchange.
The solutions will be demonstrated through six pilots in Portugal and Spain, ensuring validation under real-world conditions.
ConnectedHealth is positioned to deliver impact at multiple levels. Clinically, it seeks to enable earlier detection of disease, reduce adverse events, and strengthen chronic disease management. Operationally, the project aims to reduce hospitalisation days by up to 20% and emergency incidents by approximately 10% through improved coordination, interoperability, and data-driven decision-making. Economically, it targets both cost savings for health systems and the creation of new market opportunities for consortium members, with commercial deployment expected shortly after project completion and significant potential for international expansion. Strategically, ConnectedHealth supports the transition toward value-based healthcare, where providers are incentivised by outcomes rather than service volume.
Success will require overcoming critical dependencies: meaningful adoption by clinicians and pharmacies, rigorous compliance with GDPR and cybersecurity standards, and proven interoperability across diverse systems. If achieved, ConnectedHealth will not only transform the Portuguese healthcare ecosystem but also position the country as a European reference point for integrated, exportable digital health solutions.
Consult the project's Spec Sheet here:
Co-funded by:
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