Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWMIn the »DECIDE II« project, we are developing mathematical and software-based solutions to support medical decisions based on data. Our focus is on hybrid Artificial Intelligence and decision-making models that make the patient journey more efficient, transparent and participatory.
Projekt »DECIDE II: Digitale Beratung, Datenintegration, Entscheidungsfindung und Empowerment«
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Digital Tools to Support the Patient Journey
Project »DECIDE II: Digital Consulting, Data Integration, Decision-Making and Empowerment«
The so-called »patient journey« plays a central role in modern healthcare. It is
- intersectoral through transitions between outpatient and inpatient care
- interdisciplinary through the involvement of different specialties
- interinstitutional through the involvement of many institutions from GP practices to university hospitals
- integrative through the active participation of patients and their social environment
- integrated through seamless transitions between the healthcare steps
In practice, however, going through this journey is often associated with difficulties due to a lack of sufficient digital support.
Intelligent Digital Tools for Healthcare
In the digital progress hub Health »DECIDE II«, we are continuing the research and development work from the predecessor project »DECIDE«. Our goal is to develop intelligent digital tools for a resource-efficient and high-quality patient journey. To this end, patient case data is made available digitally and processed using modern technologies and specialized method and software solutions. These are used, among other things, in the documentation and planning of treatments as well as in the analysis of treatment processes. In the »DECIDE« project, these solutions are primarily used in oncology, sports medicine and psychotherapy. As part of the »DECIDE II« project, we are cooperating closely with other Digital Progress Hubs (DigiHubs [Website only available in German]) so that our solutions can also be used in these fields of medical application in the future.
Hybrid Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Decision Support
Our contribution to the DigiHub »DECIDE II« lies in the methodological and software-related expansion of our decision support tool »DiADeMa« for further application scenarios. We rely on hybrid Artificial Intelligence (AI): data-based AI uses supervised and unsupervised learning methods to process unstructured case data for treatment planning and analyze retrospective data to derive new insights into treatment options. The usage data from »DiADeMa« is also evaluated with the aim of further improving medical decision-making processes. The results obtained with data-based AI from retrospective case data and usage data are combined with those of existing knowledge-based AI. Methods of multi-criteria and sequential decision-making are used for individual, case-specific therapy planning. We are also developing approaches for mathematical decision support in order to further strengthen the interaction between »DiADeMa« and mobile apps for patients in the sense of active patient participation in the treatment process. The resulting method and software solutions will also be provided as service components for other DigiHubs and integrated into their application scenarios.
Project Partner
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz)
- Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz
- The Institute for Digital Health Data (Institut für Digitale Gesundheitsdaten RLP gGmbH)
- University Medicine Halle (Saale) (Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale))
Funding and Duration
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (Bundesministeriums für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, BMFTR) and is scheduled to run for four years. The project officially starts on 01.01.2026 and ends on 31.12.2029.
Process Flow and Concept for the »Decide II: Digital Counselling, Data Integration, Decision-Making and Empowerment« Project