Projects

This multidisciplinary study aims to decrease cardiovascular mortality in Estonia by increasing treatment adherence and empowering patients to create a supportive self-management environment for monitoring their health and actively participating in the treatment process. Analysing 1) the LDL-cholesterol values of North Estonia Medical Centre (NEMC) patients to find underdiagnosed and undertreated patients and 2) treatment adherence to lipid-lowering drugs (LLD). Identifying patient groups who need additional support. During the pilot project, a novel application will be developed, together with personal support, used to increase LLD adherence. The novelty of the tool – combining the data used in Estonia from the Nationwide Health Information System, ePrescription, and NEMC electronic medical record with the data collected by the patient and enabling two-way communication between the patient and medical staff. In the last stage of the study, an impact assessment of the tool is planned.

The overall goal of the project is to increase the number of healthy life years of the population. Currently, Estonia has recorded one of the lowest number of healthy life years at birth in the EU. To achieve this goal, three closely related areas of digital health are researched, developed and piloted. We use the standardized data exchange environment and digital data of the Estonian health information system (EHIS) to develop applications that increase the use of data collected by the person for health promotion, prevention and control of chronic conditions. Second, we focus on sensors and digital applications supported by artificial intelligence (AI) to allow a person to collect both biosignals and textual data in machine-readable form. With this, we speed up the detection of health risks and reduce the healthcare workload. Thirdly, we develop various AI methods by combining the data in EHIS and the Health Insurance Fund's database, as well as the data collected by the person.

Software modeling

The aim of the Project “Development of universal data model and continuity of care processes based on international standards for new generation health information systems” is to find appropriate model for digital health care data that could be used for data collection and storage in new generation TIS with the feasibility to implement the same model in other large scale Electronic Health Records (EHR). This data model will be foundation for health care professionals to use digital decision support systems in context of Electronic Medical Record. The definition of data model would lead to the development of EHR processes where minimal set of health status summaries are defined for each specialty/health issue to make evidence-based decision possible. In turn, defined health status summaries are needed for development of continuity of care processes and training of artificial intelligence and development of intuitive Electronic Medical Records.

Implementation of the IT Academy programme ICT research support project according to three strategic objectives: 1. Increasing the innovation capacity of the Estonian economy and society at large through the smarter use of ICT; 2. Increasing the ICT R&D capacity of universities in priority research areas; 3. Linking R&D with teaching activities at all levels of higher education.

The project aimed to launch and pilot work-based learning in the Business Information Technology (IABM) curriculum. Over two years, at least 11 Masters of IABM had to be awarded a diploma who performed 50% of their studies in the workplace by acquiring the competencies and learning outcomes of the IABM curriculum. The project resulted in changes to the IABM curriculum: four work-based project subjects were added. These four project subjects, together with the project management subject and master thesis, enable IABM students to acquire 50% of the curriculum on a job-based basis.