Telemedicine Concept Also for Other Regions

What was developed in the Jena-Lobeda Smart Neighborhood is now being implemented in rural areas: The telemedicine room concept created as part of the Jena Smart City project is being continued in Crossen an der Elster (Saale-Holzland District) and, in the future, in Langenwolschendorf (Greiz District). Even before the Smart City project concludes in August 2027, this marks an important step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the services developed. 

This demonstrates what a Smart City model project can achieve: A digital solution is tested in Jena under real-world conditions—and is subsequently implemented where it can offer particular added value. The telemedicine room is a joint project of the Jena Smart City project and jENERGIE, a subsidiary of Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck. The goal is to make digital services available as a supplement to medical care, particularly in areas where there are no doctors’ offices or where patients must travel long distances for treatment.

The telemedicine room in the Jena-Lobeda Smart District served as a testing site from the very beginning. There, the technical infrastructure was established, processes were developed, and experience was gained in supporting patients. Following the completion of this pilot phase, operations were suspended at the end of August. The insights gained now form the basis for the new locations.
 

“This is precisely where the special value of a model project lies: As part of the Smart City initiative, we had the opportunity in Jena to test and further develop new digital approaches, gaining experience that can also be applied to other contexts. The telemedicine room has shown that digital services can meaningfully complement medical care. Building on this, the solution can now be further developed and adapted for use in rural areas,” says Mayor and Head of the Digitalization Department Benjamin Koppe.

Successfully tested in Jena—now it’s moving on to Crossen 

In Crossen an der Elster, the new telemedicine room has already been set up in the community center. The technical and organizational processes are modeled after the Jena model. The first telemedicine appointments are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

The municipality has been exploring new approaches to ensuring local medical care for quite some time. Residents had the opportunity to learn about the service at several informational events. Interest was high.

Susanne Lippmann, Managing Director of jENERGIE: “Over the past few months, we’ve learned a lot about what people need in order to embrace telemedicine services. In addition to a stable technical infrastructure, it’s above all about trust, good support, and reliable processes. We’re now sharing these insights with other municipalities and partners who want to develop similar services. The fact that the concept tested in Jena is now being used elsewhere demonstrates the potential of such digital healthcare services.”

Another Location in the Works

A telemedicine room based on the model developed in Jena is also set to be established in Langenwolschendorf. There, the designated premises in the town center must first be prepared. Planning is already underway.  

How a Pilot Project Becomes a Permanent Service

The trial phase in Jena comes to an end with the closure of the telemedicine room in Lobeda. With the new locations in Crossen and, in the future, Langenwolschendorf, the concept developed there will be continued outside the city for the first time. Telemedicine can be an important complement to medical care, especially in rural areas. This demonstrates—even before the end of the Smart City project—how a pilot project can evolve into a transferable and sustainable service.