Co-creation on Active Aging Challenges in Portugal

Abstract

With a rapid increase in aging population worldwide, there is a need to ensure good health and wellbeing for the elderly. Healthcare system in Portugal supports opportunities and addresses challenges of its aging population by well-maintained associations between its government and private institutes. In order to stimulate an innovation ecosystem in the region, Innovation Think Tank (ITT), a part of Siemens Healthineers (SHS), has been actively engaging in various interdisciplinary projects by collaborating with local healthcare institutions. Following an invitation from the University of Evora and SHS Portugal, ITT at Evora was institutionalized. As a part of this association, a certification program was organized at Evora University, in association with Espirito Santo Hospital, Portugal. The goal of this program was to 1) train the participants on the ITT methodology 2) capture and validate healthcare trends and solutions concerning aging challenges in Portugal 3) deep dive and tackle the most prominent healthcare and aging challenges in Portugal with a focus on five key areas of Lifespan and Health, Lifespan and Demographics, Lifespan and Arts, Lifespan and Ethics & Citizenship, Lifespan and Economy. Over 30 multidisciplinary participants comprising of researchers, students, professors, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, representing over 20 hospitals, universities, and consultancies worldwide participated in this two-week hybrid program where they learnt to apply the innovative thinking approach by working on real life problems and proposed solutions with a focus on the aging challenges and future of healthcare in Portugal. The consolidated results were presented at the outcome exhibition which included a feedback session and panel discussion with healthcare experts from Portugal and other locations worldwide. The overall outcomes of the program comprised for the definition of some of the research areas for the Lifespan Chair, academic training proposals and community intervention proposals. With its global network and infrastructure, ITT envisions to boost future research at the university, and hospital by collaborating in projects that impact the future of healthcare in Portugal and globally, as well as identifying grants and partners for implementation.