In November 2023, we began a partnership to support HealthEmove, an initiative by Ahti (Amsterdam Health and Technology Institute) in the Netherlands. We were pleased to assist them in launching a programme to support people on the move, providing them with a safe place to store their medical data that follows them as they relocate to different countries.
Dr Steven van de Vijver and Paulien Tensen, respectively Senior Advisor and Project Manager at Ahti, have kindly written this article detailing the initiative and the programme’s progress over the past 8 months, which we are delighted to publish here on their behalf.
In the landscape of modern healthcare, digital technologies have emerged as powerful tools to enhance patient-centred care and improve health outcomes. Persoonlijke Gezondheidsomgeving (PGO)/Personal Health Records (PHR) are transforming how individuals manage their health and empower people by offering access to vital information and enabling proactive health monitoring. However, as we embrace the potential of digital health, it’s crucial to ensure that these innovations bridge existing divides in healthcare access and equity.
Our research from July 2023 has shown that, while digital health holds promise in reaching diverse populations, including vulnerable communities with people on the move (such as undocumented migrants and refugees), significant challenges must be addressed to translate this potential into reality. Factors such as limited access to technology, internet connectivity and digital literacy can widen the gap in healthcare access, leading to inequalities in health outcomes. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort from stakeholders across sectors to promote inclusivity and equitable healthcare delivery.
As part of our effort towards overcoming health inequalities, at Amsterdam Health & Technology Institute (Ahti), we are proud to lead the HealthEmove initiative in partnership with Patients Know Best (PKB), the leading European provider of PGOs/PHRs.
HealthEmove was developed in partnership with PKB to meet the unique healthcare needs of people on the move, who often face disruptions in continuity of care due to migration.
Because of their frequent moves, in fact, these individuals face challenges in maintaining healthcare continuity. Their medical records are typically stored on local computers and often not provided to them, leading to the loss of access to their information each time they relocate. Additionally, language barriers can further hinder effective communication of their medical history. Collectively, these factors contribute to a lack of continuity in their healthcare.
This situation also poses challenges for healthcare providers, who often have to deliver care without access to the patient’s complete medical history. This can result in duplicated diagnoses and treatments, leading to additional time and financial expenses.
With this initiative, we want to empower them to take proactive control of their health. The PKB platform, enables individuals to securely store their medical data in one centralised location, accessible anytime and anywhere, from mobile phones or laptops. People have the autonomy to add their health data and files to their records and can control who has access to them. The PKB platform ensures this in several ways:
- Users can assign privacy labels (such as general health, sexual health, mental health, or social care) to each data they add.
- Users can grant access to their records to healthcare professionals, carers, and relatives of their choice, without any geographical barrier, specifying which privacy labels they will have access to.
- The platform includes an ‘Access log’ section that lists users who accessed the record, along with timestamps and the specific parts of the record they viewed.
At HealthEmove, people have the option to self-register during walk-in days organised by our team, and we are also present at local NGOs providing care to uninsured individuals. During these sessions, our team guides participants through the registration process, demonstrating how to add various types of data to their records. Once registered, users gain access to a range of functionalities, including the ability to input appointments, measurements, medical files, diagnoses, medication history, and more.
Upon logging into HealthEmove, users are greeted with a welcome message that we created to support them in navigating the services that are available to them and to support them in receiving the right care at the right time. Specifically, the welcome message includes direct links to key sections of the record where users can add data or complete forms. Additionally, users can access an online library via a provided link, offering valuable information about the healthcare system in the Netherlands. This resource covers topics such as how healthcare functions in the country, where services can be accessed, and individual rights related to healthcare.
HealthEmove is the result of a collaborative effort, bringing together academia, non-governmental organisations, local initiatives, healthcare professionals, and technology companies like PKB. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the platform is not only technically robust but also culturally sensitive and tailored to the needs of the community it serves. It’s a testament to how digital innovation, when grounded in inclusive practices, can bridge healthcare divides and promote health equity.
In the context of digital health initiatives, HealthEmove is proof of the transformative potential of technology when harnessed for social good. It serves as a model for future collaborations and underscores the importance of digital health strategies that prioritise inclusivity and equity.
Through innovative partnerships and a shared commitment to digital health for all, we can build a healthier and more inclusive society.
You can find out more about Ahti’s work on their website https://ahti.nl/ and learn more about the initiative at https://ahti.nl/healthemove/