STARS EU, the strategic alliance for regional transition Europe, integrates a health care team system around patients with lower health literacy and digital literacy

Full title: STARS EU, Transformation of Health Systems for Integrated Care in Older Adults with Low Digital Health Literacy (The strategic alliance for regional transition Europe, integrates a health care team system around patients with lower health literacy and digital literacy)

Short title: STARS Health

Funded by: The European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS)_2024. International collaboration projects from the 2023 call of the Strategic Action in Health 2021-2023

Grant awarded: €49,375.00

Duration: 3 years (01/01/2025 – 31/12/2027)

Participating partners: Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen (Coordinator), University West, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, University of La Laguna, Servicio Canario de la Salud, Silesian University in Opava.

Coordinator: Johannes Hobbelen (Netherlands)

Researchers at SCS/FIISC: Lilisbeth Perestelo-Perez (Spain)

Project Summary:

In Europe, 42% (0.36–0.48) of the population has a low level of health literacy. Health literacy refers to the ability to find, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions. Low health literacy levels are more common among older adults, individuals with lower educational and socioeconomic levels, and rural populations. This situation is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, hospitalizations, and medical visits, increasing pressure on primary, hospital, and community care systems, and affecting access to secondary and tertiary prevention programs.

Caregivers play a crucial role in supporting patients’ self-care through digital services. However, these patients often face difficulties using digital tools and require an integrated healthcare system that supports them from hospital to community care, with clear and tailored communication strategies. To ensure effective integrated care, it is essential to develop specific approaches that facilitate their access to and understanding of digital health services.

This project aims to transform health and care systems into an integrated model, providing support to caregivers in their communication with older adults with low health and digital literacy (LHDL) and their families and communities. Through this initiative, the goal is to empower older adults with LHDL to understand and use digital services for the prevention and management of their health, improving their satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and the quality of caregivers’ work. Additionally, it seeks to reduce health inequalities in this population.

Key Actions of the Project:

To achieve these objectives, the project will focus on:

  • Redesigning the FindMyApps application and developing training programs for both formal and informal caregivers in primary, hospital, and community care settings.
  • Empowering older adults to use digital services independently.
  • Expanding the use of FindMyApps, currently designed for patients with mild dementia, to offer a selection of intuitive applications that facilitate access to health information and services.
  • Implementing monitoring and communication tools, allowing patients to share their progress with caregivers and healthcare professionals.
  • Developing an LHDL training program for healthcare and caregiving professionals, improving their communication skills and ability to guide patients in using digital technologies.

Key Components of the Project:

🔹 Identifying the needs of older patients with LHDL and their caregivers.

🔹 Reviewing and selecting appropriate digital services for this population.

🔹 Developing and adapting the FindMyApps application for older adults with LHDL.

🔹 Implementing a caregiver training and communication program.

Through these strategies, the communication skills of both formal and informal caregivers will be strengthened in their interactions with older patients with LHDL, facilitating the use of digital services. Additionally, the exchange of knowledge and best practices among different countries will promote innovative solutions for an integrated care system that benefits not only patients with LHDL but the entire community.

Expected Impact of the Project:

🔹 Improved health for older adults with LHDL, reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases and the need for hospitalizations.

🔹 Reduced pressure on health and care systems by optimizing access to secondary and tertiary prevention services.

🔹 Greater job satisfaction for caregivers by providing them with effective tools and strategies to support patients.

🔹 Strengthened communication and support between care providers and patients, enabling a more personalized and inclusive approach.

🔹 Reduced health inequities in rural areas by improving access to digital services and promoting greater equity in healthcare.

Following the implementation of personalized prevention strategies, where caregivers can adapt applications and devices to the needs of older patients with LHDL, a significant impact is expected on patient empowerment for self-care. Since health literacy directly influences clinical outcomes, this study will help bridge health equity gaps, particularly in rural communities.

In conclusion, this project aims not only to enhance accessibility and usability of digital services for older adults with LHDL but also to transform the healthcare model toward a more integrated, equitable, and sustainable approach.

Contact person: Lilisbeth Perestelo-Perez (lilisbeth.peresteloperez@sescs.es)

Website with project information: https://starseu.org/stars-health-project/