The University of Cádiz managed to place one of its healthcare Projects among the finalists of the 10th SaluDigital Awards, a national award that recognizes initiatives capable of improving health, well-being, and quality of life through the use of technology. 🌐
The mICardiAPP application, developed by an Team with significant participation from researchers at the University of Cantabria (UCA), will compete in the Health App category, according to an announcement by the Mediforum Group, the organization behind these awards.
Promoted by the Cádiz Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation Cádiz INiBICA), the project has been led by professors Pilar Bas Sarmiento, Martina Fernández Gutiérrez, and Eduardo Sánchez Sánchez from the Faculty of Nursing, and is an example of the strategic role of nursing in healthcare innovation. 🩺
mICardiAPP was born out of the real needs of patients with heart failure and offers a digital tool designed to facilitate self-management of the disease from a mobile phone, integrating clinical knowledge and advanced technology. 📲
The recognition as a finalist comes in a highly competitive context. In this tenth edition, which closed on January 31 with a record number of entries, the jury evaluated a total of 118 initiatives before announcing the Projects in each category.
📅 Awards ceremony: March 26
📍 Location: CaixaForum (Madrid)
🏅 Category: Health App
The app allows users to monitor various aspects related to the condition and includes specific modules for managing medication, diet, and physical activity, as well as identifying warning signs and symptoms. ❤️
It also includes health literacy strategies that facilitate access to and understanding of relevant information about the disease. In addition, there are game dynamics and individualized challenges designed to reinforce motivation and encourage continued use of the tool, as well as emotional support aimed at improving the overall patient experience. 🎯
The objective is to evaluate whether the use of mICardiAPP contributes to reducing the rate of hospital readmissions and mortality associated with heart failure, while improving the quality of life of those affected and reducing the burden on the healthcare system. 📊
mICardiAPP is part of a health research project funded by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), within the framework of Strategic Action in Health (AES) 2025, one of the most demanding calls for proposals in the national health R&D&I system. 🔬
The initiative is led by the Campo de Gibraltar Oeste Health Management Area of the Andalusian Health Service and the Bahía de Algeciras CampusAlgeciras the UCA. Participants include professionals from the Cardiology Clinical Management Unit at Punta Europa University Hospital, teachers and researchers from the Algeciras Faculty of Nursing Algeciras PAIDI Group), and other research groups from the University of Cádiz CTS158, TIC195, and FQM243). 🤝
Those responsible emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the project, which brings together psychologists, doctors, nurses, IT specialists, pharmacists, and physical therapists linked to both the Andalusian Health Service and various groups from the University of Cádiz the Spanish Health Literacy Network.
The project already had prior support from Andalusia ERDF funds and the University of Cádiz own plan. With funding from the Carlos III Health Institute, it has been consolidated as an initiative of excellence at the national level.
Being a finalist in the 10th SaluDigital Awards now reinforces the public profile of mICardiAPP and highlights the UCA's ability to lead technology Projects and innovation Projects with a direct impact on society. 🚀
Heart failure is currently the leading cause of hospitalization in people over 65 in Spain, posing a significant challenge for the healthcare system. Given this reality, the Team is committed to a change of approach based on patient empowerment, promoting a model of active care based on participation and informed self-management. 💙
