New population health methods require innovative health information business models

Abstract

Abstract Background InfAct is tackling the European Health Information (HI) sustainability. New population HI methods should be designed to be sustainable European-wide. Internet and digital health developments have also creating the need for innovative business model for the HI-RI that provides value to all involved stakeholders. Methods Leveraging from previous work and from a SWOT analysis, covering both market environment and health data opportunities, a set of health information services was designed. The evaluation of these services was done using Business Model Canvas (BMC), a strategic management template for developing new and innovative business models. Its visual chart was used for describing the services value proposition, infrastructure, customers, and finances. The usefulness of resources is paramount in healthcare. Therefore, it is important to assess the actual benefits obtained with the services. Results The SWOT analysis has shown the importance of addressing innovative HI business models to tackle the challenge of a healthcare sector more and more driven by information. Four main services were selected to support a European health information strategy: One-stop Shop, Innovation Research in HI (e.g. access to more updated HI), Capacity Building in HI (e.g., training support), and Knowledge translation research for decision-making (e.g., support policies with evidence-based). BMC analysis contributed to the identification of services value and innovative approach to the health data market. Moreover, from this analysis proper access to services required sophisticated HI infrastructure that should be able to brokering information in a competitive way. Conclusions Novel HI requires innovative business models services based on priority and planning for the next stages grounded on a sustainable roadmap towards the construction of a HI platform. BMC analysis provided the support for the prioritizations and helped designing the HI marketing and adoption strategy.