eHealth and mHealth Development in Slovenia: Smart Specialization and Smart Cities Initiative Case Study

This case study is focused on how eHealth and mobile health (mHealth) development in Slovenia is currently mobilizing within three related projects tied to the Smart Specialization and Smart Cities Initiative. The European Commission and the European Regional Development Fund, which began in 2015, fund this initiative. Together, with other partners, we are working to ensure that e/mHealth is infused into all three of the important projects showcased in the study.

The National eHealth project systematically started in 2008 with the goal to digitize healthcare in the form of electronic solutions to provide greater security and quality for the provision of health services. In 2011, the Ministry of Health established the eHealth sector, which accelerated the planning, implementation, pilot projects and introduction of solutions into the health system. Since 2015, the National Institute of Public Health has managed the eHealth initiative.

Recently, eHealth and health informatics development is, among other initiatives, targeted under the European Commission’s Smart Specialization strategies, especially the Smart Cities Projects. Smart Specialization is a platform for concentrating development investments in areas where Slovenia has the critical mass of knowledge, capacities and competences, and where there is innovation potential for placing Slovenia within global markets and thus enhancing its recognition. Smart Specialization is a strategy aiming to a) strengthen the competitiveness of the economy by enhancing its innovation capacity, b) diversify existing industries and service activities and c) boost growth of new and fast growing industries and enterprises.

Due to the fast development of information, communication and e/mHealth technologies, the project is also focusing on e/mHealth education, especially in the field of application development and use, deployment of new technologies and solutions to the treatment systems and new computer-based data analysis.