Business developmentin Digital Health Research & Innovation
Information and communication technology applications and devices play an increasing role in providing better healthcare, particularly to chronically ill patients, and aid in the care for older people. Citizens are empowered to become co-producers of their health. Older, frail people can be supported in their activities of daily living. They stay independent and at home for longer. Today, a wide variety of telehealth, telemedicine and telecare systems, devices and applications have become available. Often, however, successful innovation and diffusion are impeded by lack of knowledge about the users – both citizens and professionals -, about integration into patient and social care workflows, and about the specificities of health and social care markets.
empirica helps clients to develop RTD and service concepts, and supports user-centred design and business modelling. We analyse implementation strategies and help to acquire funding for the early phases of product development. We mediate dialogue with potential users – patients, care professionals or providers – to improve usability and usefulness of the product, and we explore reimbursement options with political stakeholders and third-party payers.
We undertake market research, and investigate potential value chains and core value propositions for future clients. Our comprehensive SWOT analyses underpin the development of business cases and the drafting of exploitation and business plans. Analysis of a venture from the point of view of diverse stakeholders makes it possible to assess respective benefits and costs, and facilitates identifying stakeholders who may act as veto players and hinder change. We develop strategies to overcome resistance, assist in change management, and support re-engineering care processes.
Our extensive experience dates back to 1989. empirica initiated and fully implemented the first world-wide interactive broadband video telephony project based on cable TV. The service supported the care for special needs of frail 70-to-90-year-olds in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. In 2000 empirica was involved in another worldwide first, a long-term randomised controlled trial of a home telemonitoring system for heart failure patients, in 12 hospitals in three member states.
We support industries in the development and market validation phase of their products. Companies such as AGFA, Alere Inc., Cisco, Hewlett Packard, INTEL, Philips, and Tunstall, have been among our customers.
