Innovation in the healthcare (HC) sector presents challenges and complexities. Universities and research centers can play a role in HC innovation collaborative initiatives. This article examines how collaborative co-creation between academia and HC organizations enabled the development of a digital platform for patient-reported data, starting from an initial platform developed by a university. By tracing the transition from research-based knowledge transfer to a participatory innovation process, the study highlights how such collaboration supports service improvement and organizational change. The initiative serves as a model for how research can lead to innovative solutions with societal, economic and managerial benefits.
The participatory research is an approach to the action research method, for moving from research to practice. We used a mixed-method design, including observations, documental analysis, in-depth interviews and a preliminary analysis, using descriptives and DiD regression models, of key performance indicators for collaboratively assessing the impact of the two digital platforms.
The article showcases the advantages of research-based participatory innovation within a collaborative framework between the university and the HC provider in a public context. The effort led to the creation of an integrative digital ecosystem encompassing two complementary platforms, as well as to cultural changes, where patient data-driven technologies have the potential to become as important as other performance metrics in designing and innovating services. The study underscores the pivotal role of academic research in fostering real-world innovation and shaping managerial practices.
While the action research employed a participatory, context-specific approach, which may limit broad generalizability, it offers valuable insights. These findings can be translated into lessons learned, providing implications for wider application in similar contexts.
This study provides practitioners with actionable guidelines for implementing digital systems to capture and utilize patient feedback effectively. Recommendations include involving potential users for understanding their preferences and informative needs; integrating various digital systems and data sources; providing accessible tools; using the benchmarking mechanisms for increasing the data uptake; and valuing rich, detailed and qualitative data, such as patient narratives. The study demonstrates that collaborative efforts between the university and providers can support in advancing the tools for using patient feedback in decision-making processes.
The article highlights the impact of academic research through knowledge transfer, emphasizing the potential for universities to create real-world value by translating research findings into practical innovations with the employment of collaborative approaches.
This article focuses on how patient-reported data systems are practically integrated into HC through technology and knowledge transfer. The study underscores the importance of academic research in driving real-world innovation, showing how scientific findings can lead to meaningful changes in HC management practices in a public context.
