HUMAI — High Users Management with AI — aims to develop an intelligent, user-centred digital platform to support the management of frequent users (HU) of emergency departments.
By combining predictive AI models and real-world data analytics, the project will help healthcare professionals better identify, monitor, and intervene in complex HU cases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and optimizing hospital resource allocation.
The project is led by Value for Health CoLAB (VOH), in partnership with NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT), Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento da NOVA FCT NOVA.ID.FCT and the Local Health Unit of Almada-Seixal (HGO-ULSAS).
VOH leads the development of the case management support platform and the impact assessment framework, applying participatory methodologies and AI algorithms to enhance decision-making and personalize interventions, the platform’s user-centred design and development, NOVA.ID.FCT brings expertise in AI and data science, and HGO-ULSAS contributes with practical insights and data from the award-winning GRHU (High Users Resolution Group) case management program.
HUMAI is an integrated digital solution to support the management of patients who frequently visit emergency departments. The project includes three stages:
A user-centred digital platform is co-developed with healthcare teams to support case management and workflow integration.
AI algorithms are built to identify individuals at risk of becoming high users and forecast outcomes of personalized interventions.
A dashboard evaluates the impact of interventions across patients, professionals, and policymakers, helping guide resource use and improve care.
By combining technology, prediction, and impact analysis, HUMAI empowers teams to deliver more effective, equitable, and sustainable healthcare.
Value For Health CoLAB (VOH) is a private non-profit association that is part of the network of Collaborative Laboratories (CoLAB) recognized by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology.
VOH has as its founding members Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, CUF S.A., Vodafone, and Fraunhofer Portugal. It began its activities in May 2019, and its mission is to co-create and validate innovative healthcare delivery solutions, bridging research and the development of products and services with market-ready solutions to deliver high value in health.
VOH has software development, UX/UI, data science, economics and engineering skills and has used participatory research methods to co-design and co-develop with patients and healthcare teams. VOH has a proven track record in developing clinical digital platforms that enhance remote patient-reported outcomes, treatment adherence and AI-based risk prediction.
To date, it has participated in over 20 research projects, collaborated with more than 35 companies and start-ups, over 180 healthcare professionals, and 300 patients, and has published more than 40 scientific papers.
NOVA School of Science and Technology | NOVA FCT is one of Portugal’s leading public institutions in engineering and science education and research, hosting nearly 8 000 students. It is structured into 13 academic departments and 18 research centres, and actively participates in nine Collaborative Laboratories (CoLABs). NOVA FCT researchers have been awarded 21 ERC Grants — the largest concentration of such prestigious grants and laboratories among Portuguese universities — showcasing the school’s forward-looking approach and strong foundation in cutting-edge international research. The institution maintains strategic international collaborations, including with MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Texas at Austin, and plays an active role in both European and national R&D initiatives.
NOVA.ID.FCT, a private non-profit research organization based at NOVA FCT, serves as the legal entity for its R&D activities. With extensive experience in large-scale research programmes, including FP7 and H2020 projects, NOVA.ID.FCT brings critical expertise to the project through the LibPhys Biosignals group, contributing advanced capabilities in predictive analytics, AI model development, and user-centred digital innovation. It will play a key role in designing an intuitive, evidence-based platform and in translating findings to inform healthcare policy and practice.
The Unidade Local de Saúde de Almada Seixal (HGO-ULSAS), includes Hospital Garcia de Orta (HGO) and community healthcare centres, from which 22 are family health units (USF). It serves an estimated population of 343 745 inhabitants (PORDATA, 2021) from the municipalities of Almada and Seixal. Due to its central role, HGO, which features a polyvalent emergency department (ED) and offers most clinical specialty services, often extends its area of influence, providing care to the Setúbal Peninsula and the southern region of the country.
ULSAS’s mission is to provide specialized care, ensuring that patient care matches their needs based on best clinical practices and efficient resource use. ULSAS also focuses on research, prevention and continuity of care, prioritizing the patient-first principle.
In 2016, HGO and Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Almada-Seixal (ACES Almada-Seixal) created the High Users Resolution Group Program (GRHU). This multidisciplinary team identifies and provides care to ED high users, aiming to improve their health status and, consequently, reduce their visits to the ED. Addressing socioeconomic, emotional and environmental factors, the GRHU has effectively reduced ED visits, hospital use and related costs while improving patients' quality of life and satisfaction. In December 2023, there was a 50.2% reduction in high users compared to December 2016, with a 52.3% decrease in ED episodes. By January 2024, GRHU had worked with over 500 high users.
Recognized for its commitment to excellence, HGO has received national and international awards and was a finalist in the Top Health Awards 2023/24 with GRHU. These awards highlight the unit's dedication to improving the quality of services.
Discover the latest news, milestones, and insights from our journey to transform emergency care through digital innovation, AI, and stakeholder-driven value assessment.
The HUMAI project was presented by Prof. Ana Rita Londral (VOH) and Nurse Ana Januário (ULSAS) at the event held at NOVA SBE on October 27th, which brought together experts to discuss the role of AI in healthcare.
October 2025
The innovative use of digital health tools to advance patient-centred care through the HUMAI project was highlighted in a poster presented by the VOH team at Encontro Ciência 2025.
July 2025
The launch of HUMAI project was mentioned in the media.
Check it out on Almadense, DNotícias, HealthNews, Observador, O Jornal Económico and RTP. July 2025
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, or policymaker, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about HUMAI or explore collaboration opportunities.
Contact information of the leading organisation (VOH).
