#UMED-LAB-002
SUMMARY
The living lab methodology has been enriched with elements of value-based health care and patient-centered care approaches. It shifts its focus from merely testing new solutions to ensuring delivery of tangible health outcomes that matter most to patients. Patients are not passive subjects within the innovation process, but directly shape the development, implementation, and evaluation of health interventions. This enrichment transforms the living lab into a dynamic environment where multiple stakeholders—patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers—collaborate to co-design and validate services and technologies that are both effective and meaningful in real-world healthcare settings. As a result, it supports a more holistic and sustainable innovation process.
A further innovative dimension of this enriched methodology is the establishment of a Territorial Health Living Labs Network, created through collaborative efforts among different countries during the project. This international network allows for the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and culturally adapted solutions across diverse healthcare systems and regional contexts
BACKGROUND
The Living Lab methodology is a user-centered, open innovation approach that integrates real-life environments and stakeholders into the development and implementation of new innovations. It emphasizes co-creation, experimentation, and continuous feedback in actual use contexts. Living Labs are particularly useful for complex societal challenges, ensuring that innovations are practical, accepted, and adapted to real-world needs. In recent years, Living Lab methodology has gained popularity as a strategic tool for developing market-ready, user-driven innovations, especially in sectors like smart cities or industry 4.0. This makes the Living Lab methodology a powerful framework not just for innovation, but for developing solutions that are both technologically feasible and commercially viable.
FEATURES AND KEY BENEFITS
- user-centered innovation
- higher adoption
- real-life testing (authentic environments)
- more accurate insights
- multi-stakeholder collaboration (cross-sector input)
- shared ownership
- iterative development and faster improvements
- lower risk : early detection of flaws reduces costly mistakes at later stages;
- market relevance and competitive advantage (tailored solutions)
- faster time-to-market
- social and environmental impact (inclusive and sustainable)
AVAILABLE
for service, research collaboration
CONTACT
Medical University of Lodz; anna.lipert@umed.lodz.pl
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