How to achieve tech-enabled health and welfare in the Nordic region

Across Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, demand for health and welfare services is changing. Not only do health and welfare systems have to serve more people at a lower cost – they have to provide personalised services at the point of need. Digitalisation can increase service quality, put citizens at the centre, and make life easier for professionals through automation.

Pockets of best practice across the Nordic region show what’s possible, from detecting cancer to closing workforce gaps. But what does best practice look like? How can leaders in government, municipalities, hospitals, and health and welfare organisations unlock the potential of tech-enabled health and welfare services? Drawing on insights from politicians, lawyers, officials, academia, businesses, and public and private organisations in the #BetterShared network, our co-developed report outlines six overarching recommendations.

1. Lead by empowering

Successful digitalisation isn’t about telling people what to do – it’s about empowering them to do it. With support from leaders, employees can experiment in a curious and intentional way. But first, they need the right training and re-skilling, and the confidence to use technology in everyday roles. On the citizen side, the right structures need to shepherd effective use.

In one Swedish municipality, medical robots provide routine medication dosages in nursing homes, freeing staff for interpersonal contact while increasing the independence of residents who need less support. The municipality saves 500 working hours annually through automation, with a goal to save 200,000 annual working hours by 2026 (equivalent to 125 full-time employees). Introducing medical robots across Sweden could reduce national resource consumption and pave the way for future applications.

2. Build a solid foundation for data use

Innovative health and welfare systems rely on large amounts of well-structured data. Due to the relatively small size of countries in the Nordic region, pan-national data-sharing is vital. However, the different methods used to organise and store data hinder collaboration. Sharing data requires a culture of transparency, the right protocols, and a common understanding across organisations and governments. By managing data in an open way, underpinned by shared legislation, countries in the Nordic region can benefit more people.

Here, cloud technology offers a solution. Norwegian hospitals are using machine learning and cloud technology to detect cerebral palsy (CP) in babies aged 12-18 weeks. A cloud-based database of infants’ movement data speeds diagnosis, reducing reliance on clinicians’ subjective experience. The next step is an app that helps parents and guardians to conduct CP assessments, supporting earlier treatment and accessible healthcare.

3. Discuss how AI and data-sharing can solve challenges

AI is fundamentally changing health and welfare systems, from streamlined digital services to more effective disease detection. However, integrating AI comes with risks. Citizens are highly sensitive to data security issues, while health and welfare teams are rightly wary of uncertainty. Accountability is another important consideration. If an AI system gives misguided advice, who is responsible? Is it the service provider, the AI system developer, or the people who authorised the system’s use? These unresolved questions can dampen enthusiasm.

Cooperation across departments and organisations encourages adoption and manages risks. Since 2019, the Estonian government has implemented Kratt, an ambitious strategy to spur AI adoption, enhance efficiency in the public sector, and increase government transparency. An example of the strategy in action is Bürokratt, a digital assistant that simplifies applications by helping people to fill out paperwork online.

4. Put citizens and end users first

Digitalisation is a collective endeavour – end users such as citizens, hospital staff, and social workers need to be actively involved at every stage of the journey, smoothing the road to adoption through buy-in and trust. Feedback forums and surveys can gather needs and wants, while beta testing enables users to review solutions. When properly considered and acted on, feedback ensures that solutions solve real issues without leaving anyone behind. Not all citizens will want to go digital, so offline and hybrid-digital options are essential.

In Finland, lack of reliable access to healthcare is encapsulated in a 2023 Amnesty International report entitled ‘I know I won’t receive help’. In recognition, Helsinki University Hospital partnered with Finland’s leading hospitals and public services to develop a digital platform that democratises access to healthcare information, particularly for people living far from physical centres. The platform combines more than 100 hubs that provide information, advice, and treatment access for non-specialist health issues. The platform also enables health professionals to design care pathways based on their expertise, augmenting human knowledge.

5. Make it scale

To advance digitalisation in health and welfare systems, well-tested solutions need to scale in a fast, safe, and secure way. The more scalable the system, the more people it will help. Digital infrastructure such as cloud technology is essential for scalability, as is legislation for data-sharing and use (such as General Data Protection Regulations [GDPR]). Considering scalability at ideation and pilot phases can lay the right foundations for wider use.

In Denmark, an AI solution acts as a first assessor for low-risk breast cancer patients – one of the most common types of cancer in the country. The traditional process is a screening every two years, offered to women aged between 50 and 69. Two radiologists review the scans, with concerns escalated for investigation. Early detection increases the chance of survival, so accuracy is paramount. In addition, false-positive diagnoses cause stress and suffering. Embedding the AI solution makes the process faster and more accurate, with less strain on human resources.

6. Ensure interoperability

Countries in the Nordic region have different laws regarding technology and data-sharing, which impacts how technologies are implemented. The Schrems II ruling undoubtedly increased reticence around data-sharing, mandating European companies to conduct individual assessments of each data transfer to non-EU countries. Teamed with local and national variations, it’s challenging for governments and organisations to be certain of compliance.

Regions and countries could work together more effectively with a set of common standards and interpretations for data-sharing. This would support interoperability while achieving a critical mass of data to feed algorithms.

Across the Nordic region, public sector leaders are using technology to fuel more accessible, personalised health and welfare systems. By co-developing digital services with citizens and end users, a higher standard of care can support greater numbers of people. Cloud technology and AI are key – cloud technologies enable secure data-sharing, while AI algorithms turn data into impact. When implemented in a human-centred, transparent way, digital initiatives can be scaled across regional and country borders, helping more people to live healthier lives.