Strong Midway Results for CareWare Nordic 2

Halfway through the project period, CareWare Nordic 2 has exceeded expectations with more companies, participants, and activities than initially projected. With a continued focus on digitalization and technological development, CareWare Nordic 2 is well on its way to shaping the future of health, care, and welfare.

A year and a half has passed since the CareWare Nordic 2 project began, and the results so far are impressive. A total of 1,346 people have participated in skills development, far exceeding the number estimated for the entire three-year period. Additionally, 24 companies have received advisory support in various ways, with the goal of reaching 30 companies throughout the project period.

Some of the projects carried out include virtual reality (VR) testing for children with a fear of needles, a new prototype for mobility technology, and the opportunity for thousands of employees in the municipality of Viborg to explore how digitalization and technology can make work smarter.

"We are incredibly pleased that the results have exceeded our expectations so far. It's fantastic to see how our efforts in digitalisation and technology have led to tangible progress and improvements," says Anna-Karin Holst Johannsen, project manager for CareWare Nordic 2.

VR tests for children with needle phobia show promising results

During the first half of the project period, Leap for Life organized a skills panel together with the Danish company Khora Virtual Reality, pediatric and youth clinics in Halmstad and Varberg, as well as the surgery and intensive care departments at Halland Hospital. The goal was to investigate whether VR could be used to distract children with needle phobia, a problem that staff at the pediatric clinics in Halmstad and Varberg frequently encounter.

The Halmstad pediatric clinic had the opportunity to borrow VR headsets for a period to test Khora’s solution, and the results were positive. It showed that the children were less fearful, and in some cases, the need for pain relief during needle procedures was reduced.

The initial tests in Halmstad suggest that VR could greatly ease needle phobia and lead to a better healthcare experience for children. The long-term benefit of using VR is that children may no longer need to be physically restrained during tests, and the use of nitrous oxide can be reduced. The method, which is already used in Denmark at places like Rikshospitalet, is now being further examined for potential implementation in Sweden.

New prototype for mobility technology

Another activity carried out within CareWare Nordic 2 focuses on mobility technology. The municipality of Halmstad faced challenges in effectively training new staff and updating existing personnel in mobility techniques, and sought a more sustainable solution. The aim was to improve the working environment, prevent injuries, and increase safety for clients.

Through workshops led by Leap for Life, the municipality’s actual needs were identified, which then formed the basis for further work. Together with staff from the social and home care departments, who contributed their expertise in personal mobility, an innovative solution was developed. The result was a prototype offering training through extended reality (XR), where staff can virtually practice their mobility techniques as a supplement to physical training.

Two other partners in the CareWare Nordic 2 project, the SOSU school in Aarhus (formerly the Social and Health School) and the municipality of Viborg, have shown interest in the prototype, and experiences were exchanged between Sweden and Denmark in the spring.

At the time of writing, the municipality of Halmstad has applied for funding from the European Social Fund to further develop and test the prototype, with hopes for continuation.

DigiTek Days to promote courage and curiosity among employees

In the autumn of 2023, Social, Health & Care, and Employment departments in the municipality of Viborg organized DigiTek Days to inspire, provide new knowledge, and create exciting networks for employees in the municipality of Viborg. It was a week focused on how digitalization and technology can help in daily work and improve both the working environment and efficiency.

During the DigiTek Days, over 1,000 municipal employees participated in workshops, lectures, and knowledge-sharing sessions, both physically and virtually. Thanks to the event, around 7,000 municipal employees will have the opportunity to explore how digitalization and technology can ease their work. After last year’s success, the municipal leadership has decided to organize the DigiTek Days again this year, from November 4–8.