HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT MAGYAR TELEKOM

Magyar Telekom launched a healthcare research and development project in March 2013. In the frame of the 1 year project Magyar Telekom develops a healthcare project which connects different mobile based healthcare services targeting residents. The project is supported by the government of Hungary, managed by the National Development Agency and funded by the Research and Technology Innovation Fund.

In the frame of the project – being uniquely complex both in Hungary and internationally - Magyar Telekom develops a healthcare platform which connects different mobile based healthcare services offered to residents. The new developments enable patients with smartphones or tablets to easily log in and prepare for the medical examinations. The mobile device sends information about the examination, assists patient to get around in the hospital and also makes available the patient’s medical data and records. It also enables the access to person specific information related to the illness, medication and healthy lifestyle.

“The main advantage and novel feature of the platform prototype to be established within the project is that it covers all major phases of the patient’s medical treatment, offering versatile and complex services accessible from the majority of medical institutions. The solution helps the cooperation between patients and doctors, involves the patient in the curing process and by activating patients their responsibility and awareness also increases. The service enhances the consciousness of patients while reduces the work load on medical personnel.By expanding functions and institutions applying the solution, on the long term an e-Health service portfolio can be established with national coverage and affordable, cost effective prices.” – said Gábor Pukler innovation and business development director at Magyar Telekom.

Within the current healthcare system patients often face difficulties in finding the location and time of examinations, they need to contact medical personnel to get person specific information about their examinations. The new development enables patients to access their personal data, medical history and actual medical examination data, enhancing the cooperation between patients and medical personnel. They get information about the waiting list, waiting time and all necessary locations in the hospital (pharmacy, individual buildings, toilets location etc.). Using the 24 hour medical call center they can also retrieve information about expected examinations and the disease in general. They receive up-to-date about medicines and potential side effects and also about creating a healthy lifestyle.

Similar attempts were already made elsewhere in the world, including systems supporting remote monitoring of chronic diseases, or smartphone applications assisting both patients and doctors. These however only target the problems partially both technically and professionally – and they are mainly available to patients and doctors of state or private clinics having strong financial background.

The project is supported by the Government of Hungary, managed by the National Development Agency and funded by the Research and Technology Innovation Fund.