As healthcare systems struggle to balance rising costs with limited resources, digital health solutions—known collectively as eHealth—have become essential tools for reform. Among the innovators helping drive this shift is dacadoo, whose Digital Health Engagement Platform (DHEP) is delivering measurable results in improving patient outcomes and reducing system-wide costs. From virtual consultations to personalised health apps, eHealth technologies are redefining how care is delivered and accessed.
Despite the promise of digital health, one core issue holds back widespread adoption: the lack of rigorous economic evaluation.
Insurers, healthcare providers and policymakers are seeking solid evidence that these technologies generate tangible returns. Without clear ROI data, it’s difficult to secure long-term funding or expand usage. For eHealth to scale effectively, demonstrating cost-effectiveness is a must.
Frameworks that make value measurable
Several established analytical tools help quantify the impact of eHealth interventions. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) compares the financial inputs and outputs of a project, expressing outcomes in monetary terms.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA), meanwhile, focuses on the cost per health outcome achieved—ideal when financial valuation is complex.
Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) goes a step further by factoring in quality of life using Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), offering a standardised metric for comparing different healthcare programmes.
Why measuring eHealth outcomes is complex
The varied nature of digital health interventions—from wellness trackers to telehealth platforms—makes it difficult to apply uniform metrics.
Many benefits, such as better access or improved well-being, are intangible and hard to quantify. Furthermore, each stakeholder—patients, providers, payers—experiences value differently, complicating the evaluation. Add to that the rapid pace of tech evolution, and traditional assessment methods can quickly become outdated.
How evidence-based evaluation is evolving
Despite these difficulties, robust methods are emerging. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), for example, provide controlled, reliable insights by isolating the intervention’s impact.
Observational studies capture real-world usage across larger populations and timeframes, offering valuable perspectives on trends and user experience. Both approaches help measure total cost impact, from software investment to productivity gains, alongside improved health outcomes measured in QALYs.
dacadoo’s data-driven approach to proving ROI
dacadoo’s DHEP is at the forefront of this evaluation evolution. Built on behavioural science and cutting-edge technology, the platform uses gamification, personalised insights and social tools to engage users in healthier habits.
Their approach helps users achieve better health outcomes in a fun and engaging way, which translates to long-term cost savings.
A study conducted by the University of Groningen supports these claims, showing a 5% reduction in healthcare costs among regular DHEP users. This real-world evidence reinforces the platform’s value, proving that long-term engagement—not short bursts of activity—is key to sustainable cost reduction.
What sets dacadoo apart is its ability to simplify data collection and ROI monitoring through automated, real-time tracking.
This enables insurers and healthcare providers to assess the impact of interventions clearly and consistently. The platform’s seamless API integration ensures it can be deployed at scale across regions and demographics, enhancing its utility in large healthcare systems.
Shaping the future of digital healthcare economics
With the global healthcare sector under mounting pressure, eHealth investment must be backed by reliable economic evaluation.
dacadoo’s DHEP provides a compelling blueprint for how digital platforms can generate both better health outcomes and measurable cost savings.
For insurers and providers alike, solutions like dacadoo represent a practical path forward—where innovation and evidence work hand in hand.
Read the full blog from dacadoo here.
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