Norway, one of the leading digital health countries in Europe, boasts a wealth of experience in leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, patient care, and resource management. State Secretary Ellen Rønning-Arnesen and the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services share insights into the country's approach, successes, and future ambitions in eHealth.
Good digital transformation needs time
"Most European countries face challenges due to an aging population and a shortage of healthcare professionals per patient in the future," Rønning-Arnesen notes. "Digitalization will help address this by simplifying work for professionals and enabling citizens to take a more active role in their own and their loved ones' health."
One of Norway’s most notable achievements in recent years has been the implementation of national digital service platforms for sharing patient data. An early-stage collaboration among healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and technology providers has led to the development of a unified strategy.
“Working step by step – testing, trying, failing, correcting, and then scaling – is my best piece of advice for countries at the beginning of their digital health transformation journey. This ensures that solutions are effective, beneficial, widely accepted, and cost-efficient.”
Norway’s digital health journey has evolved over the years, from early electronic messaging between healthcare providers to a comprehensive framework encompassing data exchange services. "Over the last decade, our approach has centered around national data exchange platforms and common services for prescriptions and critical health information," Rønning-Arnesen explains.
A major milestone in this effort was the release of the White Paper National Health and Integrated Care Plan in 2024, which outlines a strategic direction for digitalization. "Step-by-step digitalization allows us to get started faster and adapt based on experience, ultimately benefiting both professionals and citizens."
Current solutions and future outlook
The Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services highlights several national eHealth solutions that have become integral to the healthcare system:
- The Norwegian Health Network (Helsenettet): A secure digital infrastructure for healthcare actors to exchange information.
- The Summary Care Journal (Kjernejournal): A digital record providing access to essential health information, such as allergies, medications, and vaccinations.
- E-prescription (E-resept): A system ensuring secure prescription transfers between prescribers, pharmacies, and medical suppliers.
- Helsenorge.no: A digital gateway for citizens to access medical records, book appointments, and consult with healthcare providers online.
Future priorities include supporting municipalities in adopting digital solutions, enhancing access to health data for research and business development, and reviewing regulations to ensure secure information sharing. "We are committed to refining confidentiality provisions and assessing the Health Research Act to facilitate responsible and effective data use," the Rønning-Arnesen states.
Innovations to address workforce shortages and reduce waiting times
Like most of the EU countries, Norway faces a shortage of healthcare professionals. Another challenge is the long waiting lists for medical services. "This underscores why the government must invest in digital healthcare solutions," Rønning-Arnesen emphasizes. Digital tools are crucial for optimizing logistics and improving efficiency, as seen in the national Ventetidsløftet initiative, which aims to reduce wait times for treatments.
Additionally, healthcare reforms are driving efforts to minimize wasted time. For example, at Radiumhospitalet in Oslo, the automation of ECG readings enables the immediate digital transmission of results to electronic patient records, thereby reducing unnecessary delays. Ultrasound images are also directly integrated into patient files, streamlining workflows."
All starts with an inspiring vision and ends with a follow-up
A clear vision, stakeholder involvement, and adaptability are essential for successful digitalization. "Norway’s long-standing digital culture and universal healthcare system have been key to maintaining both pace and trust," Rønning-Arnesen states. "With multiple decision-makers, alignment is crucial. While the government provides direction, the primary responsibility for digitalization lies with the healthcare sector itself. Collaboration across public and private sectors is essential for success."
Norway recognizes that a robust follow-up plan is crucial. According to the recent study National eHealth Strategies: A Comparative Study of Nine OECD Health Systems, Norway’s eHealth strategy is well-prepared, with a detailed implementation plan that clearly outlines activities and evaluation measures.
“Norway provides a useful example of follow-up in their Plan for the Implementation of the National eHealth Strategy, where they define the name of the indicator, unit of measurement, type of indicator, description and purpose, how measurements shall be carried out, target value, and starting point,” the study states.
AI and the future of care
AI-powered tools are already transforming healthcare in Norway. “Vestre Viken HF is leading the way by utilizing AI to interpret radiology images, enabling rapid triage and reducing patient wait times," Rønning-Arnesen explains. “Similarly, Lovisenberg Hospital in Oslo has reduced its surgery waitlists by 20% with AI-driven scheduling,” she adds.
AI is also being used for note-taking in doctor-patient consultations, psychiatric outpatient clinics, and for triaging patients for emergency care. "A well-functioning market, where healthcare services act as partners in testing innovations, is critical to driving these advancements," according to Rønning-Arnesen
The Norwegian government has outlined five key healthcare goals for 2024–2027:
- Promoting public health and reducing social disparities in healthcare access.
- Enhancing patient pathways and ensuring quick service access nationwide.
- Making the healthcare sector an attractive workplace for professionals.
- Ensuring sustainable and equitable resource use.
- Strengthening preparedness for health crises and disasters.
A significant component of Norway’s strategy is participation in the European Health Data Space (EHDS). "The EHDS will create a unified framework for sharing health data across EU and EEA countries, fostering innovation and improving services for citizens," Rønning-Arnesen states.
When asked whether EHDS will make health policies more evidence-based, Rønning-Arnesen believes a balance between data-driven insights and political priorities is necessary. "In Norway, the two are usually closely aligned. While many Nordic countries already have decades of health data for research, expanding this on a European scale will be a major advantage."
"Norway’s success in digital healthcare isn’t just about technology. It’s about trust, collaboration, and a shared vision," says State Secretary Ellen Rønning-Arnesen. “We can only be successful if we continue to work together across the entire public and private sectors in Norway,” she concludes.
