Preface by Peder Jest, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Odense University Hospital (OUH) Innovation is a popular word. A buzzword– used in a multitude of contexts – but with different definitions and meanings. Regardless of the definition, however, innovation is always associated with a certain degree of development. And we can probably all agree that the development of our healthcare sector is highly desirable when it is for the benefit of citizens, patients, and staff. But neither development nor innovation happens of its own accord or as a natural consequence of general technological advances in society. In fact, perhaps some historical failures and problems with public digitalisation may even be ascribable to the fact that we waited too long and thought that development would happen on its own. No, innovation and development takes determined efforts and dedicated people. Strategic innovation is about creating a framework for and actively shaping the future. As patients we want fast, gentle, and preferably painless treatment, effective rehabilitation, a positive meeting with the healthcare sector and coherent and seamless collaboration between all stakeholders in the ‘healthcare quadrangle’: patients/citizens, general practitioners (GPs), local health services and hospitals. Developments in society are only emphasising the need for strategic innovation in healthcare. As in many other countries, the elderly population and the individual lifespan are increasing – in spite of a parallel rise in chronic conditions. At the same time, there are and will be fewer hands to take care of the elderly due to many years of low birth rates. We find ourselves in a ‘squeeze’ where the supply of and demand for public sector resources are conflicting – this calls for strategic innovation. Technological advances offer new opportunities The global spread of the internet has greatly changed the way we do things, and at a pace nobody could have foreseen. This development has pushed forward at great speed, and we have already moved from the internet and 4
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