Going to the doctor digitally - without a waiting room

Small space, big step: a pioneering component of urban healthcare was officially put into practice today in the smart district of Jena-Lobeda. The first telemedicine room in a residential district shows what medical care can look like today - close to home, digital and easily accessible. Stadtwerke Jena implemented the project together with the city of Jena, Jena University Hospital, the company zollsoft and other partners such as BeHome as part of the city's Smart City strategy.

At today's press event, the participants demonstrated live how a digital consultation hour works in everyday life: Project manager Mandy Steinbrück slipped into the role of the patient and described her complaints via video consultation to Dr. Christine Zollmann, a specialist in dermatology. The findings came immediately - including further recommendations for action. The room is equipped with the latest medical technology.

Healthcare where people live

The new service is initially aimed at the tenants of the Smart Neighborhood Jena-Lobeda, but is also intended to be accessible to residents of the district in the future. During the pilot phase, almost 20 specialist video consultations on neurology and dermatology were held with both residents and patients of Jena University Hospital. From May, GP video consultations and surgical consultations are to follow in regular operation. The technical basis for the telemedical consultations was developed together with the Center for Outpatient Medicine (ZAM) at Jena University Hospital and Jena's Zollmann medical network.

Smart City: Digital. Social. On site.

The telemedicine room is a central component of the city of Jena'sSmart City strategy and will be continuously developed and scientifically monitored as a pilot project until 2027. The aim is to make digital healthcare services available exactly where they are needed - in the neighborhood, but also in rural areas. Particularly in view of demographic change and the increasing shortage of specialists, digital solutions should help to secure medical care in the long term. Municipalities surrounding Jena, such as Crossen and Langenwolschsdorf, have already signaled their interest in working together.

Voices from the "Telemedicine room in the smart district of Jena-Lobeda" project

Tobias Wolfrum, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Jena and jenawohnen: "Digital healthcare starts where people live - close, understandable and without barriers. Our project stands for more quality of life and participation in the neighborhood. It shows how services of general interest and healthcare can be sensibly combined. I would like to thank all our partners who have joined us on this journey."

Prof. Dr. Otto W. Witte, Medical Director, University Hospital Jena (UKJ): "Telemedicine has long been established at the UKJ, it is the future, especially in a large state like Thuringia. The new telemedicine room also expands outpatient care options outside of Jena. The task now is to develop a sustainable operating model together with medical care centers and practices."

Benjamin Koppe, Mayor and Head of Digitalization, City of Jena: "The telemedicine room is a visible milestone in the implementation of our smart city strategy. This project impressively demonstrates how digitalization in the healthcare sector can be made concrete and suitable for everyday use - especially for people who previously had difficulty accessing the relevant services. In close cooperation with various partners, we are demonstrating how digital solutions can contribute to improving healthcare. The telemedicine room brings our smart city strategy to life in a clear and practical way."

Johannes Zollmann, Managing Director of zollsoft: "We are delighted that we at zollsoft were able to help shape this pioneering project. The telemedicine room shows how simple and accessible digital consultation hours can be today. This allows us to reach target groups that were previously excluded."

Background

About the smart district of Jena-Lobeda

The Smart Neighborhood Jena-Lobeda is a model project of the Stadtwerke Jena Group and stands for modern, everyday living in the digital age. Following refurbishment, a total of 230 apartments - around half of which are rent-controlled - will be built in a jenawohnen WBS70 type building by the end of 2024. The apartments are equipped with smart home technology and supplemented by health services and neighborhood networking options. Intelligent heating controls enable heating cost savings of up to 30 percent.

About the smart city strategy of the city of Jena

The city of Jena's Smart City Strategy is part of the federal "Smart Cities Model Projects" program and is being funded with a total of 17.5 million euros. The aim is to use the opportunities of digitalization for sustainable, networked and citizen-oriented city life. Under the motto "Jena digitizes, learns and shares", the city is developing concrete solutions for everyday life together with municipal partners and citizens.

In front of the telemedicine room (from left to right): Tobias Wolfrum, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Jena and jenawohnen, Johannes Zollmann from Zollsoft, Prof. Dr. Otto W. Witte, Medical Director of Jena University Hospital, project manager Mandy Steinbrück, Benjamin Koppe, Mayor and Head of Department for Digitalization and Dr. Christine Zollmann, dermatology specialist (connected via tablet).