The analysis of policy documents on the use of assistive technology in social and health care is available in both Latvian and English. Read the English version here.

From September 29 to October 1, the team of the Vidzeme Planning Region, together with Strenči Psychoneurological Hospital and other partners of the DEAHL Baltic project, visited Ängelholm, Sweden, to jointly work on strengthening digital health literacy in the Baltic Sea region. During three days of intensive working sessions, knowledge, experience, and perspectives from different countries were brought together to address the challenges and opportunities of the future of healthcare.

At the beginning of the meeting, participants were introduced to the “Design Thinking for Health” approach, with special emphasis on patient experience and healthcare processes. The example of IVF care illustrated how existing problems and assumptions can be mapped out step by step to arrive at practical prototypes – new information materials, improved forms, and clearer communication tools for patients. The key takeaway was the continuous involvement of stakeholders. Focus groups, idea generation, testing, and feedback form the basis for high-quality solutions that are rooted in real needs. Partners shared their experience on how to successfully create focus groups that bring together healthcare professionals, patients, and citizens to jointly seek the most effective digital solutions.

The discussions also focused on the organizational model for Digital Health Literacy (DHL) and the development of a sustainable e-learning platform for healthcare professionals. Four key areas emerged: leadership and governance, patient engagement and accessibility, healthcare professionals’ competencies, as well as safety and risk management. Participants emphasized the need to build trust in digital solutions, develop patient support mechanisms, strengthen a culture of safety, and reduce skepticism towards innovation. The ideal e-learning platform was described as a user-friendly, simple, and motivating environment that combines theoretical content, practical guidelines, and experiences from different countries. Sustainability, interoperability, and adaptability to diverse healthcare systems in the Baltic region were also highlighted as essential features of the platform.

The discussions also highlighted experiences from different countries – Germany shared the challenges faced in midwifery, while Denmark and Finland emphasized their practices in the field of digital health. The Latvian team presented potential obstacles to the implementation of the pilot project, such as lack of time, low trust in systems, and the habit of maintaining paper-based formats. Proposed solutions included active communication, support, and stakeholder involvement, which foster a sense of shared responsibility and motivate the use of new tools.

On the final day, the Vidzeme Planning Region team led a working group that analyzed stakeholder engagement approaches in different countries. The discussions highlighted that healthcare system actors – patients, medical professionals, state institutions, and technology developers – collaborate in different ways in each country, yet the exchange of experiences opens up new opportunities to strengthen cooperation in Latvia. Within the working group, visual models and “spider diagrams” were developed to compile and compare the structures of various national healthcare systems. As a result, concrete ideas emerged on how to promote collaboration between patients and professionals in Latvia in order to create solutions that genuinely meet people’s needs.

The meeting in Ängelholm confirmed that the development of digital health literacy is not just a matter of technology – it is a process that requires engagement, collaboration, and trust. By bringing together the experiences and approaches of different countries, the DEAHL Baltic project partners are one step closer to their goal – creating sustainable, people-centered, and digitally supported solutions for healthcare in the Baltic region.

About the project

This event was organized within the framework of the INTERREG EUROPE Programme 2021–2027 project DEAHL Baltic. The aim of DEAHL Baltic is to reduce social disparities, improve access to healthcare, and promote more equitable digital healthcare across the region by strengthening digital health literacy among healthcare professionals and organizations.

On September 18, the first stakeholder meeting of the TechSocialcare project took place at Vidzeme Hospital. The project draws attention to a highly relevant topic – the availability and use of assistive technologies in social and healthcare services. These technologies provide essential support both for patients and professionals, yet several challenges still hinder their wider implementation.

During the meeting, participants discussed the main challenges in the field. At the national level, digital platforms such as e-Health were positively evaluated, as they allow services to be accessed remotely and facilitate data registration, as well as the availability of electronic assistive technologies. However, not all social and healthcare workers and clients have sufficient knowledge, skills, or interest in using them. At the organizational level, management shows openness to introducing various technologies, but challenges remain with staff training, practical use of technologies, and selecting appropriate solutions. A significant limitation in technology selection is that software is rarely available in Latvian. At the inter-institutional level, the opportunity to participate in projects, collaborate with academic partners, and work with specialized support centers, such as the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIC), was highly valued. However, it was noted that there is a lack of intermediaries between social and healthcare institutions and the developers of digital services and tools.

Project manager Lienīte Priedāja-Klepere emphasized that the goal is to find solutions for how technologies could more effectively support both care providers and clients. She pointed out that it is particularly important to combine the perspectives of different institutions and organizations in order to develop a sustainable approach and define priorities in this field.

Special attention in the project will also be devoted to the research carried out by social anthropologist Līna Orste. Her work will focus on the analysis of policy documents and the collection of stakeholder experiences in order to prepare a report on the use of assistive technologies in social and healthcare. This report will help to identify the changes needed at the policy and practice levels to promote more accessible and effective use of technologies.

At the end of the meeting, participants visited the newly opened Rehabilitation Center at Vidzeme Hospital, where the head of the center, physiotherapist Kristīne Matuka, introduced to the new facilities and technological aids. These provide support in patient rehabilitation while also facilitating the daily work of physiotherapists.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Vidzeme Hospital, Strenči Psychiatric Hospital, Valmiera Municipality, the Latvian Samaritan Association, Valmiera Municipality Social Affairs Department, the association ‘Dzīvības poga’, the Latvian Family Doctors’ Association, NRC ‘Vaivari’ Technical Aids Center, as well as the Latvian Red Cross ‘Home Care’ office.

This was the first of several meetings that will help build a shared vision and advance the field of assistive technologies in Latvia through close collaboration with various stakeholders.

About the project

This event was organized within the framework of the INTERREG EUROPE Programme 2021–2027 project TechSocialcare. The project’s goal is to involve public authorities, municipalities, and social service providers in the development of a unified legal framework in social and healthcare, as well as to define basic requirements and standards—such as ergonomics, open communication, usability, etc.—for ICT tools and assistive technologies in social and healthcare services.

More information about the project in Latvian: https://www.vidzeme.lv/projekti/tehnisko-standartu-veicinasana-paligtehnologijam-eiropas-socialas-aprupes-pakalpojumos/tehnisko-standartu-veicinasana-paligtehnologijam-eiropas-socialas-aprupes-pakalpojumos_pase/
Official project website in English: https://www.interregeurope.eu/techsocialcare

The Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR) is actively participating in the international Interreg Baltic Sea Region programme project ‘Digital Empowerment for Active and Healthy Living Environments in the Baltic Region’ (DEAHL BALTIC). The project’s main focus is on developing digital health literacy in order to improve the ability to use digital health solutions, reduce inequalities in healthcare, and promote more efficient delivery of health services in the region.

The project was launched in Hamburg, Germany, with a kick-off meeting that marked an important first step in cooperation between six Baltic Sea Region countries – Latvia, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Poland. Latvia’s and Vidzeme’s interests were represented by the Vidzeme Planning Region (VPR) in cooperation with the Strenči Psychiatric Hospital. On behalf of VPR, project expert Artūrs Pokšāns took part, joining partners in initiating the development of a collaboration platform to foster the advancement of digital health literacy in the region.

Digital health literacy refers to people’s ability to seek, understand, evaluate, and use health information and services through digital tools. It is becoming increasingly important – from the use of e-health services and management of health data to remote consultations and digital self-care solutions.

In the Baltic Sea region, society is aging rapidly, creating additional pressure on healthcare systems. Wider use of digital technologies can be part of the solution, but this is only possible if both citizens and healthcare professionals possess sufficient digital skills. Research shows that a lack of digital health literacy not only hinders the use of technologies but also increases inequality and reduces the quality of services.

The aim of the project is to reduce inequalities in access to health information and services, improve communication between patients and professionals, and promote more efficient organization of healthcare through the use of digital tools.

The project foresees:

• developing training programmes for healthcare professionals and the public on digital health solutions;

• carrying out pilot projects in various countries, including Latvia, to test approaches that improve digital skills;

• creating policy recommendations for sustainable digital health development;

• fostering cross-border cooperation between healthcare institutions, municipalities, the education sector, and technology companies.

Shared responsibility for the future of regional healthcare is especially important, as emphasized by project manager Lelde Ābele: ‘The involvement of the Vidzeme Planning Region in the DEAHL BALTIC project demonstrates a strong commitment to building an inclusive, accessible, and future-oriented healthcare system, where technology serves people, not the other way around. This direction closely aligns with the region’s development priorities, promoting access to health and care services.”

The DEAHL BALTIC project is implemented with the support of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027. Each partner contributes with its own experience and expertise, ensuring that solutions are adapted to the needs of different countries and regions. The project budget amounts to EUR 3,210,000.00.