Driving Technological Efficiency in European Healthcare: The Role of Digital Innovation Across EU

Digital innovation reshapes healthcare, offering new solutions to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. This study explores how emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twin models, are being leveraged to optimize efficiency within any public and private facilities across the European Union (EU). Given the EU’s ambitious sustainability targets, the healthcare sector presents a critical area for intervention. This research examines the extent of digital adoption in healthcare through a comparative analysis of the 27 EU member states. Results indicate significant regional disparities, with Northern European countries showing advanced digital integration compared to their Southern and Eastern counterparts. Findings highlight the potential of digital technologies to contribute meaningfully to technology efficiency while underscoring barriers such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory challenges. This paper provides insights into strategies for sustainable healthcare transformation, addressing both technological and policy implications for achieving efficient healthcare systems across diverse European contexts.