The region of Västra Götaland recently made a new attempt to inbox a large healthcare system with large costs and debatable results. So controversial that health care workers are on strike, health care centers are changing to paper and pencil because the system is not considered to be safe for patients and they are temporarily suspended. The development of the system is not something that happened quickly but over several years. This is also not the first time for that area, for Swedish healthcare or for that matter in the neighboring country of Finland where several multi-billion dollar projects have been launched. For Millennium, a large number of red flags have appeared during the process, which management chose to ignore.
For those who have been following the digitization of care for a long time, it is easy to be struck by the idea that this has become a non-learning area. The same mistake is repeated over and over again as a kind of digital doomsday, where you wake up over and over again every morning not knowing what problems someone has fallen into. -in already. It must be emphasized that the negative effects do not only affect individual patients, but that the departments create great vulnerability in the most socially important jobs when need strength.
The hope of unparalleled technology
Why it has become like this is a complex question. One reason is that the digitized culture that has evolved makes rational action more difficult.
Sím Lindgren, a researcher at Umeå, believes that a specific digitalization ideology has developed. In the excellent book AI – critical perspective he writes about some specific features of this ideology such as rampant technical optimism, that technology is an independent force that can solve all problems.
I have pondered along the same lines. In different constellations between public representatives, consultants and IT providers, this ideology flourishes, which serves different purposes, especially economic. A hegemonic structure has been created where only positive images of AI and digitization can appear, where its urgency is constantly emphasized and leaders must be “courageous”.
As a result, a functional deafness is created for both general critical arguments and, as in the case of the Millennium, for a capacity within the department that warned and identified risks with the project . Questions about actual operational, financial, labor supply, privacy and security implications are not welcome.
I understand the appeal of recklessly shouting that public services need to hurry up, be brave and throw themselves into big projects without time-consuming analyses. The ideology and its intermediaries are a powerful lobby for both IT providers and for companies that want to use healthcare information.
The financial interests of companies are used constructively by public officials as social and civic interests.
Stronger tobacco comes from the EU
The effect can be subtly packaged as unofficial competitions of the type “which city has the biggest AI” or giving prizes to the one who supported the best message. Since there is a lack of critics based on the Swedish tech industry, the agenda can be run completely without risk.
I do not see stronger trends that could affect the monolithic digitization zeal
Through a combination of small and large steps, the digitization tool made by Millenium and other similar projects worked. The only way to return to the strategic health care planning that took place in the middle of the 20th century – as far as I can see – is to remove the ideology of digitization and let light and air into the discussions.
This is wishful thinking on my part. I do not see stronger trends that could affect the monolithic digitization zeal.
Those who want stronger tobacco than Millenium must now look forward to the European Health Data Area (EHDS), where the coordination and exchange of patient data that do not even work in the same sector will -now scaled up to the European level.
Brave indeed, but European patients and taxpayers shuddered.
2024-11-19 23:39:00
#Millennium #brave #project
As a website editor for world-today-news.com, I would like to interview two experts on the topic of healthcare digitization and its recent challenges in Sweden. The first guest is Dr. Sim Lindgren, a researcher at Umeå who has written a book on AI’s critical perspective, and the second guest is Dr. Elisabeth Sandberg, a health economist who has been following the development of digitization in healthcare for over a decade.
**Thematic Section 1: The Hope of Unparalleled Technology**
1. Dr. Lindgren, you mention how a specific digitalization ideology has developed in healthcare. Can you elaborate on what this ideology is and how it affects the decision-making process regarding large healthcare projects like Millennium?
2. Dr. Sandberg, as a health economist, how do you view the idea of ‘technical optimism’ and its influence on healthcare decision-making? How can we ensure that technical solutions are matched with the actual healthcare needs and resources?
3. Both guests, what are some practical steps that can be taken to ensure a more balanced and critical approach to healthcare digitization? How can we ensure that the desirability of technological innovation does not overshadow other important aspects like patient safety, privacy, and financial feasibility?
**Thematic Section 2: Stronger Tobacco Comes from the EU**
4. Dr. Lindgren, you mention the European Health Data Area (EHDS) as a potential challenge to healthcare digitization in Sweden. Can you explain how this initiative could affect Sweden’s current healthcare system and what are some of the risks associated with it?
5. Dr. Sandberg, how do you see the impact of EHDS on the current debate around healthcare digitization in Sweden? Do you think this project will accelerate or slow down the adoption of digital solutions in the country?
6. Both guests, in your opinion, what are some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of a more integrated European healthcare system regarding data sharing and patient care? How can we ensure that patient data is protected and used appropriately across borders?
the interview will cover the topics of technological optimism in healthcare, the dangers of rushing into digitization without proper planning, and the potential impact
