Mikko Kytö, Development Manager at HUS Helsinki University Hospital, is working to improve the effectiveness of healthcare in collaboration with partners in the CleverHealth Network (CHN) ecosystem. His solid background in data analytics, human–computer interaction and innovations in health technology is a major asset in fostering collaboration.
Mikko Kytö, who has worked at HUS for four years, is also a docent in computer science at the University of Helsinki. His areas of expertise include augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and the development of user-centred health technology solutions. He also teaches human–computer interaction at Aalto University and the University of Helsinki.
Mikko joined HUS hoping to play a part in improving the effectiveness of healthcare. As a member of the CHN coordination team, he acts as a sort of bridge-builder between clinicians and technology experts. The ecosystem benefits significantly from Mikko’s expertise in data analytics, regulatory affairs and data management. “Working with talented clinicians is really interesting. I’m able to speak the same language as both clinicians and data experts from partner companies, so I act as a sort of interpreter at CHN,” says Mikko.
User-centred innovation in the treatment of gestational diabetes
One of Mikko’s projects at CHN is a mobile app that helps pregnant women monitor their blood sugar levels, physical activity and eating habits. With a strong focus on user-centred design, Mikko and his team developed the app’s user interface based on user feedback. Once the app was complete, Mikko took part in the clinical trial phase and was the lead author of a research article, which has already been published, based on a randomised controlled trial.
At present, members of Miko’s research team are interviewing gestational diabetes nurses to gather further feedback on the development of the app from a clinical perspective. He has also begun looking into the commercialisation and IPR (intellectual property rights) aspects of the app, and is also exploring piloting and funding opportunities for the project.
New projects and mapping of innovations
In addition to the gestational diabetes project, Mikko is preparing new initiatives, such as a project relating to age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and a project relating to respiratory diseases. The nAMD project aims to optimise patients’ care pathways, such as the scheduling of intravitreal injections and medication. It will also integrate imaging data with patient registries. The project on respiratory diseases focuses on automating the interpretation of spirometry curves and streamlining patient pathways.
Miko is also responsible for devising and identifying new projects within HUS. He has been involved in developing a technical tool for this purpose, which helps to streamline the process of assessing innovation potential and brings together the organisation’s internal ideas, challenges and clinical needs in one place.
Building cooperation and international networks
Mikko is a member of several working groups exploring the use of artificial intelligence, such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s (STM) Sote AI ecosystem coordination group and the HUS risk analysis group.
Mikko and the CHN team have also visited the Mayo Clinic in the United States to learn about best practices and to network. They have also attended major international conferences such as DMEA in Berlin and HLTH in Las Vegas. The aim is to raise CHN’s profile outside Finland, learn from other innovation hubs and launch various collaborative projects.
Looking to the future: data-driven innovation and expectations
In the future, Mikko also wants to focus on identifying data-driven innovations. HUS’s data lakes enable the discovery of new processes and the identification of as yet unrecognised needs. The impact of innovations can be assessed using process modelling and cost calculations. Based on these, it can be determined whether new solutions are required. This approach also helps to optimise hospital processes using HUS’s data models.
Mikko sees both challenges and opportunities in CHN’s future development projects. He notes that there are insufficient incentives for innovation in the public sector, as most of the work is carried out by enthusiastic clinicians alongside their regular duties, which slows down development. There are regulatory challenges, but they are not insurmountable, and data anonymisation is constantly improving.
Mikko sees CHN as a development platform for the future, enabling the utilisation of vast amounts of anonymised data and facilitating active collaboration with companies to create impactful healthcare solutions. As the network grows, he hopes that its activities will expand further and that development projects will progress more rapidly.
Photo: Felt Fotografi Oy
