AI and digital technology at home can make life easier for the chronically ill

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) can be a solution to address these challenges and ensure that those living far from hospitals receive the same treatment, while making efficient use of healthcare resources.

Researchers in the Swedish-Norwegian EU project Kontiki will now study digital solutions where patients themselves register and measure their values at home. Based on this health data, the researchers will develop AI-based decision-making models to detect signs of deterioration in health status at an early stage and then also create the conditions for preventing disease conditions already in the patients' home environment.

"With the help of digital solutions, frail elderly and chronically ill patients could get quick feedback on their condition at home and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room," said Peter Lundgren, Chief Physician as well as Associate Professor and Project Leader at the University of Borås.

Major impact on quality of life

Patients with chronic diseases can use electronic devices such as smart watches or tablets to monitor their health in real time at home. These devices can provide instructions on medication adjustments, tell the patient when it is time to see a doctor, and automatically refer the person to the right clinic, reducing unnecessary hospital visits – a significant benefit for elderly and frail patients.

“This increases patient confidence and control over their illness. Patients may be able to stay at home for longer and more people may be able to access care wherever they live. These factors have a major impact on quality of life," said Peter Lundgren.

AI can also help detect, diagnose, predict and even prevent acute diseases or worsening chronic conditions.

“We hope to improve patient safety with more accurate and objective diagnoses, as well as to create more accessible and efficient care, meeting the growing needs of our population," he concluded.

In addition to developing digital technologies for monitoring patients at home, the Kontiki project is working on developing AI-based decision support for ambulance services when patients suffer acute illness, stroke or trauma, as well as models to help diagnose blood clots. Among other things, the researchers in the project have shown that more lives can be saved if ambulance staff are helped by an AI tool to determine how seriously injured a person is.

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The project KonTiki – AI as Decision Support for Patients and Healthcare is a 3-year project led by the University of Borås and Østfold University College. The project consists of several sub-projects/work packages. In total, the project has been granted more than SEK 23 million by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Interreg Sweden-Norway cooperation programme.

In work package 3, the aim is to develop self-monitoring systems for patients with chronic diseases. In this project, the University of Borås, Chalmers, PICTA, University of Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland, Østfold University College and Østfold Hospital are collaborating.

Kontiki – Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Decision Support for Patients and Healthcare – University of Borås (hb.se)

More lives can be saved if ambulance personnel receive AI support - University of Borås (hb.se)

Unique survey of trauma patients in Swedish ambulance care - University of Borås (hb.se)