OPTIMISE – Data-Driven Leadership for Safer and More Sustainable Healthcare

OPTIMISE is a research and development project funded by the Academy of Finland, focusing on how data and artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to support better leadership, decision-making and service performance in health and social care.

Healthcare organizations today generate large volumes of data across clinical, operational, and workforce systems. However, this information is often fragmented and underused in everyday management and strategic decision-making. OPTIMISE addresses this challenge by developing and testing new, responsible ways to integrate and analyze data to support evidence-based leadership at operational, tactical and strategic levels.

The project brings together researchers, healthcare organizations, and technology partners to:

• Integrate data from clinical information systems, workforce and resource management systems and organizational performance indicators.
• Examine how staffing levels, competence, and allocation are linked to patient outcomes, safety, quality of care and costs.
• Develop AI-supported tools that help leaders monitor performance, identify risks and anticipate future needs.
• Support more sustainable use of healthcare resources while safeguarding care quality and staff wellbeing.

A key principle of OPTIMISE is responsible and transparent use of AI. The project places strong emphasis on data protection, ethics, governance and real-world applicability, ensuring that digital solutions support professionals’ work rather than increasing complexity or burden.

By strengthening data-driven leadership, OPTIMISE aims to support healthcare organizations in delivering safer, more effective and more equitable care, both now and in the future.

Contact information

Consortium Coordinator
Laura-Maria Peltonen, PI
Leading Specialist, Research Centre for Nursing Science and Social and Health Care Management, Wellbeing Services County of North Savo, Associate Professor, Department of Health and Social Management, University of Eastern Finland
laura-maria.peltonen (at) pshyvinvointialue.fi
laura-maria.peltonen (at) uef.fi