Project

DIRECT - CO-INNOVATION OF DIGITAL REHABILITATION IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE

Project sponsors

Abbreviation
DIRECT
Project type
Innovation project
Focus area
Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation
Implementation time
1.1.2022 - 31.12.2024
Project unit
School of Health and Social Studies
Financing program
Business Finland
Project description
Globally 2.41 billion people would benefit from rehabilitation, but most people do not have access. Need is most urgent in low- and middle income countries. WHO promotes rehabilitation as 21st health strategy and it is seen as an integral tool in achieving Universal Health Coverage.   

Covid-19 pandemic showed the vulnerability of the present system and need to build back better. Joint action and research are needed to have feasible, appropriate, meaningful, and effective solutions and digital rehabilitation model that directly empower people to manage their own health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation needs in different contexts globally. Integration of rehabilitation into the digital economy provide multi-billion opportunity for private sector.  

The overall aim of the joint action is to create new business opportunities globally through the evidence-based practice in use of digital-first rehabilitation in different service and cultural contexts. Work packages are expected to lead to following results: 1) Digital rehabilitation will be increasingly used and accepted in health systems in different locations especially in Eastern Africa and Southeast Asia. 2) Investments increase by local governments, international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders towards solving rehabilitation needs with help of digital rehabilitation. 3) Research evidence on feasible, appropriate, meaningful, and effective digital solutions will be made available and can be used to scale access to evidence-based rehabilitation in globally. 4) Contributing towards wider acceptance, among international organizations, to leverage digital rehabilitation strategically to solve global challenges in rehabilitation. 

Project is a joint action of JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Physiotools Ltd. and CSE Entertainment Ltd.


More information:  

Kari-Pekka Murtonen
Head of Global Action, Institute of Rehabilitation
+358503526606

Minna Eriksen
Specialist in digital rehabilitation, Institute of Rehabilitation
+358505636202