The Digital Transformation of Healthcare
Sweden is a country of early adopters and a pioneer in the digital transformation of healthcare. Digital solutions are unlocking new possibilities for more effective, patient‑centred and high‑quality care. These include AI‑enhanced electronic health records, patient‑oriented monitoring and treatment devices, and platforms for digital consultations. What part will you play?
The Challenge
A brave new digital (health) world
Healthcare costs are predicted to increase in many countries due to an ageing population, increase of chronic diseases, medical advances and rising expectations from the population.
Digital solutions in telemedicine, HealthTech and welfare-related e-health technologies all present new opportunities for a more effective, cost-efficient and high-quality healthcare. They open new pathways to healthcare, strengthening of patients, and improved access to care. New technology enables citizens to better monitor their health, take preventive measures, and control of their health situation. Data and AI can be utilised to develop precision medicine.
To implement such solutions, adjustments in healthcare must be made, such as new ways of working, meeting patients, interacting with other staff groups and integrating research.
Swedish Excellence
New demands and technology pave the way for transformation
Sweden is an early adopter and global pioneer in the digital transformation of healthcare. Prescriptions and medical‑record systems are fully electronic, and an ever‑growing share of appointments and consultations now take place online. Digital solutions that streamline care and give both patients and healthcare professionals greater autonomy are rolled out on an ongoing basis—a trend that the COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated. Today, Sweden is considered one of the most highly digitalised countries in the world.
Sweden is a powerhouse in health tech
Swedish companies deliver electronic health‑record platforms enhanced with AI‑driven decision support. Digital providers and platform developers serving both primary and specialist care are gaining ground in export markets. The sector also covers apps for prevention, risk assessment and diagnostics, tools for rehabilitation and chronic‑disease management, and solutions for personalised care planning. For healthcare professionals, digital systems for decision support, administration and care coordination boost efficiency and quality, with mobile or remote versions giving nurses the same tools in patients’ homes or at the bedside. Integrated‑care platforms engage patients, gather data for hospital managers and regional authorities, and supply analytics for system‑wide planning and research.
Swedish Export promoting activites
Quiz
Quiz
Is Sweden one of EU’s top innovators?
True. Sweden continues to be one of the EU Innovation Leaders, followed by Finland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, all with innovation performance well above the EU average. Denmark is the new top innovator with the best performance in the EU, overtaking Sweden after a few years in leading position.
In 2050: 459 million persons will be 80 or over?
True. By 2050: the world will have an estimated 459 million persons aged 80 or more, almost triple the number in 2021 at around 155 million.
Are 90% of all prescriptions in Sweden digital?
False. In fact, 99% of all prescriptions in Sweden are digital.
Did the number of digital health care consultations double in 2020 in Sweden?
True. eHealth is an integrated part of the healthcare sector in Sweden. According to The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, the number of digital health care consultations doubled in 2020, from 1.2 million to 2.4 million, representing 11 percent of total medical appointments in 2020.
Publications
Latest publications and Swedish actors within this area
AI in Healthcare - A blessing or a curse? Sweden at a glance
In this episode, we will look closer upon the opportunities of AI and digitalization and explore how Sweden turned from being one of the poorest countries in Europe - to a frontrunner in digitalization of healthcare.
Swecare podcast - episode 2
Connect for a Healthy Future - Business Sweden
The digital revolution has altered the way society functions, individuals work and socialise, and how business is conducted. It has also created opportunities and changes in traditional ecosystems that were previously not thought possible. Connected health is an area of growth that has gone from science fiction to reality at an unprecedented pace. And Sweden has swiftly emerged as a global disruptor and innovator.
Read the full report by Business Sweden
1177 Vårdguiden – national healthcare portal
Healthcare guide 1177 is Sweden's national hub for advice, information, inspiration and e-services for health and healthcare. You can read about diseases, treatments, rules and rights. Here, you can also find and compare health clinics and patient fees and use e-services to contact the healthcare services, request, cancel, or reschedule appointments or refill prescriptions. All of the content on the healthcare guide 1177 is quality assured together with experts from healthcare throughout Sweden.
The healthcare guide 1177.se
Nordic White Paper: Smart Digital Health
This white paper presents some of the smart digital health solutions developed and implemented in the Nordic countries. While these solutions cover a wide range of diseases, they have much in common: they help patients monitor and manage their own conditions; they improve treatment and diagnostics; and they facilitate cooperation, shared information, and shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals. The white paper is made by the following project partners: Business Finland, Swecare, Innovation Norway, Promote Iceland and Healthcare DENMARK. Published in 2019.
Nordic White Paper: Smart Digital Health
Strongholds and Qualities of the Nordic Health Tech Ecosystem
An analysis of positions of strengths of Nordic health tech companies. This report assembles a knowledge base for the Nordic Welfare Solutions project, and gives an overview of the core qualities and strongholds of the Nordic health tech ecosystem, concentrating exclusively on health tech solutions outside of the pharmaceutical industry. The white paper is made by the following project partners: Business Finland, Swecare, Innovation Norway, Promote Iceland and Healthcare DENMARK. Published in 2018.
Strongholds and Qualities of the Nordic Health Tech Ecosystem
