By involving more parties, new innovative solutions can be found in digital healthcare

To find innovative solutions in digital healthcare, more stakeholders need to be involved in the area. Doctoral student Linnea Tavakoli Hagström has conducted research in this domain on this theory, called responsible research and innovation.

Linnea Tavakoli Hagström conducts research on how we develop innovative solutions in digital healthcare together through co-creation and the involvement of several stakeholders. The concept 'responsible research and innovation' is a mindset which is used to describe the approach to involve more people in development.

– For example, when digitalising healthcare, we can see how "ordinary" citizens and users are invited to contribute with their opinions when developing applications. A co-creative way that allows us to find solutions in the area that are resource efficient and needs-adapted.

This mindset is in fact supported by the European Commission and several other European research and funding organisations. At the same time, according to Linnea Tavakoli Hagström, this concept was not used in academia until about a decade ago, but it will become increasingly relevant in conjunction with the development of society.

– With the rapid digitalisation of healthcare, it is even more important today for organisations to measure their users' experiences of involvement and participation. Furthermore, it is an interesting area to investigate because the Earth's population is rapidly growing, which means that more and more people will become beneficiaries of care, says Linnea Tavakoli Hagström and continues:

– If I can help organisations work digitally with preventive health and for preventive purposes, then I think that more resources can be spent on those persons who most require healthcare.

Doctoral studies at MDU entail innovation, openness and collaboration

Linnea Tavakoli Hagström began her doctoral studies at MDU in 2020. Before that she got her Bachelor’s degree in Service Management at Lund University and her Master’s degree in Leadership and Organisation at Stockholm University.

– I decided to take my PhD at MDU because they offered further studies in the subjects in which I was interested. Today, I sometimes have to pinch myself on the arm – can you believe that my job is to pursue my passion; to conduct research in how we can develop organisations in the best way. For me, Mälardalen is a University where employees have a great opportunity to collaborate with the private sector in the region and where there is a sense of openness and innovation. I am proud of my workplace and all the fantastic programmes that are offered.

Most people are eligible to do a PhD – you should also take the opportunity

When Linnea Tavakoli Hagström talks to friends and acquaintances about her doctoral studies, she believes that few people know what it means and what opportunities actually exist. By doing so, she hopes that more people will share their experiences as a doctoral student and that any existing prejudices will be removed, such as that you need a perfect CV with high grades in all subjects – which is not the case.

– Because this was one of the prejudices that I had before I applied. This turned out to be wrong as all my colleagues have different backgrounds, both professionally and where they come from. I remember when I finished my Master's programme, I didn't want my studies to end then. In that situation, I was not aware that you could actually continue studying, as a doctoral student, says Linnea Tavakoli Hagström and concludes:

– I believe that more people should grab the opportunity to take a doctorate because it is simply needed. Now that I have started collaborating with companies in my research project, I have observed a positive symbiosis when academia meets the private sector; we help one another to develop a better society.