Newsletter Issue 3
A Fond Farewell at the Consortium Meeting
Between 13–14 February 2025, our consortium gathered to review the project’s progress and discuss next steps. The meeting agenda covered a detailed trial wrap‐up, an evaluation of pending deliverables, and sessions on Health Technology Assessment and reimbursement strategies. A notable part of the agenda was the roundtable with German physicians, which focused on practical aspects of implementing TIMELY into routine clinical care. This meeting provided an opportunity for all partners to exchange views and clarify the pathway for TIMELY’s clinical integration.
Reflecting on the Final Dissemination Event
The final dissemination event was a highlight of our project, showcasing the key outcomes, innovative approaches, and future directions in health technology. The event presented for example a clear, stepwise approach for market entry in both Germany and Spain, emphasizing how clinical and economic evidence supports special care contracts and reimbursement models. Attendees gained insights into the strategic phases—from initial pilot programs to broader implementation—illustrating how our research findings can be translated into real-world applications.
For those who couldn’t attend, the full event is available on YouTube.
Patient Perspective: The Value of Long-Term Support
One of the key questions in cardiac rehabilitation is how to ensure lasting benefits for patients. We asked a TIMELY participant whether she would consider returning to the program after some time, and why. Here’s what she had to say:
"I would definitely support returning to the program after six months or a year, purely based on my own experience. And when I look at my heart patients who didn’t participate in the TIMELY project, I can see that it would really, really benefit them."
Watch the full interview here.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Congresses
We are excited to announce that TIMELY will be actively present at several international congresses in the coming months:
ESC Preventive Cardiology 2025
51. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Prävention und Rehabilitation von Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen
Sports, Medicine and Health Summit 2025
Come join us and discover the latest research findings from the TIMELY Consortium!
In Conversation: Javier Lera and David Cantarero Prieto on Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
What are the main findings of the HTA?
The HTA demonstrates that TIMELY is a highly promising, cost-saving, and clinically effective alternative to traditional cardiac rehabilitation across three several healthcare systems. It consistently reduces predicted cardiovascular risk while lowering overall social costs (social perspective). In all base case and favorable scenarios, TIMELY is a clear dominant strategy. These results strongly support its economic and clinical value for long-term secondary prevention.
Did the HTA reveal any unexpected insights?
The HTA revealed that TIMELY provides substantial economic value even when clinical gains are modest, largely due to reductions in productivity losses and follow-up care. It also highlighted the importance of tailoring digital care to individual patient needs, reinforcing the potential of precision implementation. Overall, the findings underscore TIMELY’s versatility, resilience and adaptability.
How did healthcare system differences influence the HTA outcomes?
TIMELY proved efficient across all three healthcare systems, though the magnitude of savings varied. Spain showed the greatest cost savings due to higher indirect costs, while Germany and the Netherlands also demonstrated strong performance in different cost structures. This highlights TIMELY’s flexibility and scalability in diverse health care models.
What is your recommendation for reimbursement?
TIMELY should be integrated into reimbursement schemes as a modern, patient-centered solution that enhances access and reduces health care system burden. Its strong economic and clinical performance justifies early dialogue and adoption. Reimbursement should include support for patient onboarding and digital access.