Do you want to contribute with new solutions to challenges related to osteoarthritis care?
Millions of people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis and more than a quarter of the population above the age of 40 are affected. One of the most common forms of the disease is hip osteoarthritis. Currently, the project “VGR som Innovationsmotor” calls for external solutions to identified challenges related to the hip osteoarthritis patient.
Three defined challenges
To identify innovative ideas that can meet the needs of this patient group, the project is performing a horizon scanning. The challenges are derived from the national initiative concerning a person-centred, coherent care of osteoarthritis patients (in Swedish) as well as interviews with patients and health care professionals. Now we need your input!
- How to improve the discovery of early stage osteoarthritis?
Early treatment in the form of exercise can alleviate symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.Bone changes due to osteoarthritis only become visible by x-ray several years after the first appearance of symptoms. Hence, there is a need for alternative tools allowing for earlier diagnosis. The level of knowledge about osteoarthritis may also differ between different caregivers, so time to diagnosis and treatment may vary between patients.
- How can health care providers offer individualised and resource-efficient exercise support? Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that is often manageable through regular physical exercise. Today, patients are offered to attend “osteoarthritis school”, in which they get information, strategies and advice on exercise, usually followed by supervised exercise and a follow-up appointment after three months. Thereafter, patients are expected to continue exercise on their own, but for many it is a huge challenge to successfully maintain such a routine.
- How can disease progression and treatment be continuously monitored and evaluated? Continuous evaluation would help patients maintain their motivation to exercise and enable caregivers to follow the progression of the disease. A more detailed documentation would, in addition, facilitate the decision to refer a patient for surgery.
How would your organization take on these challenges?
We are looking for new angles, holistic approaches or detailed solutions to these three identified challenges. The ideas do not have to be fully developed solutions. Our goal is to gather input on innovative solutions and ideas suggesting possible ways forward.
Who are you?
We believe you come from industry organisations, companies, universities, patient associations or that you work as a care provider. You can be located within Västra Götaland, Sweden or elsewhere.
What is the next step?
The project group will review the submitted suggestions and we will contact you if questions arise. After that, suggestions will be assessed by a cross-functional team consisting of representatives from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Swedish Medtech, Västra Götaland Regional Council, the Regional program board for musculoskeletal disorders, Chalmers University of Technology and the Sahlgrenska Academy. The perspective of the patient is ensured by a patient representative. The team will focus on potential patient benefit as well as feasibility.
The team will then be in contact with the solution providers judged suitable for continued research, development and cooperation.
Please note that this is not a request for tender and therefore does not obligate VGR to procurement or other commitment. Submitting suggestions answering this invitation does not obligate the contributor to submitting tenders in a possible future procurement.
Submit suggestions!
Do you have an idea or a solution for one or several of the three challenges?
- Briefly describe your input using the template
- Submit to innovationsplattformen@vgregion.se. Please enter "Innovationsmotor" in the subject line. We look forward to receiving your suggestion no later than February 10th.
Do you have questions?
Read questions and answers from the January 26th question session (in Swedish).
Public access to information and secrecy
Information provided in connection with this invitation is covered by the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (2009:400). This means that the information provided will be public.
VGR som Innovationsmotor
The objective of this project is increased collaboration between healthcare, academy and Medtech industry – in order to find new, innovative solutions to healthcare needs. The project is financed by Medtech4Health and the regional development committee in Region Västra Götaland.