Depression is a significant issue in Estonia, affecting a large portion of the population and leading to work incapacity for many. Access to mental health care is inconsistent due to limited resources and rising demand, creating gaps in treatment. To address these challenges, a digital platform is being developed to unify the treatment process, enabling healthcare teams to track patient progress and provide timely, coordinated care.
Therasync
Platform for treatment path of depression patients
Health
Finished
At the time of carrying out this project, Accelerate had a wider goal of supporting public/private partnerships, which later evolved to a more narrow focus on unlocking new markets by overcoming regulatory barriers.
Introduction
Problem
Depression affects 3% of Estonia’s population, with 70% of those affected being of working age. This makes depression a leading cause of incapacity for work, costing the state nearly 27 million euros in 2019 alone.
Effective and consistent treatment requires collaboration between multiple specialists, but the Estonian Health Insurance Fund has reported significant challenges in providing timely and equitable access to mental health services. The growing demand, combined with a shortage of resources and professionals, has created gaps in care, leaving some patients without the support they need.
Solution
To address these challenges, a personalized approach facilitated by a common information field accessible to the entire treatment team can make treatment plans more effective and cohesive.
Since each patient’s treatment path is unique, a modular and comprehensive overview of both medical and life support services is essential. By creating a properly functioning digital platform that connects all the professionals involved, the treatment process becomes less fragmented, more efficient, and cost-effective. This system will reduce the burden on both the patient and the state by making the treatment path logical and easy to follow, ensuring that patients receive timely help.
End Goal
The ultimate objective is to create a future where a patient’s treatment path is smooth, coordinated, and timely. A common digital platform will benefit patients by ensuring they receive the right care at the right time. Professionals will be empowered to make informed decisions and deliver effective treatment. For the state, timely interventions will reduce long-term costs, contributing to a healthier and more productive population.
Outcome
The pilot project conducted under the Accelerate Estonia program focused on testing collaboration among treatment team members and establishing a shared information space, using Pipedrive as the test platform. Two treatment teams simulated the care process for two fictional patients, including information sharing and various stages of treatment.
The project revealed several important insights. Firstly, when all patient-related health data is accessible to every treatment team member, treatment decisions can be made more quickly and transparently, enhancing cooperation among healthcare providers. With the patient’s consent, the TheraSync platform enabled data access and sharing with the treatment team. It also became evident that patients want to be more actively involved in their treatment process and would like to report on their progress.
Although clinicians found that the platform does not replace in-person team meetings, it creates a strong foundation for them, as all necessary information for preparation is readily available.
