Improving effectiveness of wellbeing promotion and primary healthcare integration in North Savo (HYPE)

Project Description

Objectives of the National Effectiveness Center Network and the well-being services area of North Savo:

The goal of the National Effectiveness Network is to find answers and metrics on how well-being areas can consistently and cost-effectively produce services that improve the health and well-being of customers. Work on developing effective treatments and services has been ongoing across Finland for years. The objective is to embed the idea of impact in specialized healthcare, primary healthcare, social services, as well as well-being and health promotion services.

The role of the well-being services area of North Savo and the UEF House of Effectiveness is to bring multidisciplinary R&D and educational expertise related to the effectiveness of basic social and health services and well-being promotion, as well as the implementation of related operational models to the network. Additionally, we support the network’s development by updating the situational awareness of information needs and the current state of expertise. With our multidisciplinary expertise, we can offer scientifically based training programs, tools for measuring effectiveness, and support for data-driven decision-making. In collaboration with the role of the well-being services area of North Savo and the UEF House of Effectiveness, we implement development measures in the North Savo region, spreading proven models across the entire province to promote residents’ mental well-being, abstinence, reduce the consequences of type 2 diabetes, and decrease the costs of related social services.

Regional Sub-Projects in North Savo:

Sub-Project 1: Promotion of Mental Health and Abstinence and Reduction of Related Social Service Costs:

Objectives: This sub-project includes conducting a representative mental health study for North Savo residents, utilizing digital tools (BitHabit + MySeula) to assess the mental health and abstinence status of residents. Additionally, a digital intervention will be targeted at different target groups based on various risk factors to promote mental well-being and abstinence. The intervention is modeled after the BitHabit experiment of the Spring 2023 Mieliteko program (more information: www.mielitekomedia.fi/fi/elintapavalmennus).

Methods: All residents will be targeted with a digital data collection application (MySeula) to identify individuals at high risk for mental health problems based on various risk factors. These individuals will be offered a digital mental health intervention (BitHabit), possibly enhanced with online lifestyle guidance using a suitable experimental design. The estimated number of participants (aged 15-64 residing in North Savo) is N=15,000. Digital services include the BitHabit application, MySeula survey, and possible reminder messages per participant. The pilot will model the effects and impact of digital solutions on mental well-being and abstinence. Additionally, the study will model the costs of social services related to mental health and substance use, utilizing socio-economic and health economic methods. Participants in the study will be followed for a longer period after the intervention using registry data if further funding allows.

Sub-Project 2: Promotion of Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Complications:

Background: This sub-project utilizes data produced by regional digital care paths and information accumulated in healthcare patient information systems for peer development among primary health care service providers.

Methods: The sub-project updates the statistical peer development analysis conducted in the Well-being services area of North Karelia (Martikainen ym. 2022). Second, the use of the developed method will be assessed in the entire the collaborative catchment area (YTA) as a tool for peer development and as a tool for data-driven decision-making based on effectiveness. Peer development reporting (e.g., case mix adjustment, visual reporting, etc.) will be used to develop a pilot in the North Savo region and support the national quality registry. The pilot will assess and model the health-economic effects of individualized care and good treatment balance.

Sub-Project 3: Examination of Data-Driven Management: PROM Survey for Residents:

Background: In this sub-project, a PROM metric survey is conducted to not only support regional data-driven management but also develop effectiveness metrics.

Methods: The model of the WELBY study previously conducted by UEF is used as a repeated survey in early 2024, taking into account new information and development needs. During 2024, a nationally representative and regionally weighted survey dataset will be collected, N=5,000. The dataset includes general PROM metrics that will be utilized in the development of data-driven management in the  well-being services area of North Savo.