German
Digital doctor's consultation: telemedicine room for simple healthcare
On 05.05.2025, a unique nationwide component of digital healthcare was presented in the Smart Quarter Jena-Lobeda: the first telemedicine room of its kind in Germany. The new service enables medical care close to home via video consultation - directly in the neighborhood, without the need for technology or a waiting room. The project was developed by Stadtwerke Jena together with the city of Jena, Jena University Hospital, the company zollsoft GmbH and other partners.
Benjamin Koppe, Mayor and Head of Digitalization, City of Jena: "The telemedicine room is a visible milestone in the implementation of our smart city strategy. This project impressively demonstrates how digitalization in the healthcare sector can be made concrete and suitable for everyday use - especially for people who previously had difficulty accessing the relevant services. In close cooperation with various partners, we are demonstrating how digital solutions can contribute to improving healthcare. The telemedicine room brings our smart city strategy to life in a clear and practical way."
Fully equipped room for digital consultations
The telemedicine room is equipped with modern medical technology and offers the opportunity to conduct specialist or GP consultations via video. It is very easy to use: patients enter the room, log in and are given a virtual consultation or examination by medical professionals. No personal equipment is required.
At the official launch of the project, the system was presented in a realistic demonstration: A project employee took on the role of the patient and described her complaints to a dermatologist via video. The diagnosis was made immediately, including further recommendations - an example of how efficiently digital healthcare can work in everyday life.
Offer to be expanded step by step
The service is currently aimed at tenants of the Smart Neighborhood Jena-Lobeda. In the future, however, it will also be available to residents of the entire district. Around 20 specialist video consultations (neurology and dermatology) have already been carried out in a successful pilot phase. From May 2025, further GP and surgical consultations are to go into regular operation.
Bringing the smart city to life
The telemedicine room is a central model project within the city of Jena's Smart City strategy. It is an example of how digital technologies can make a concrete contribution to improving quality of life - particularly in the healthcare sector. The aim is to develop new care models that can also be used in other districts or rural areas. Municipalities in the surrounding area, such as Crossen and Langenwolschsdorf, have already signaled their interest in working together.
Digital. Social. On site.
"Digital healthcare starts where people live - close, understandable and without barriers," says Tobias Wolfrum, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Jena. "The telemedicine room stands for modern, accessible services of general interest and shows how smart city projects have a very concrete impact on everyday life."
The partners also underline the model character: Jena University Hospital is contributing its many years of experience in telemedicine, while zollsoft GmbH is providing the technical platform, which has been specially tailored to this use case.
The close cooperation between various players from the city administration, housing industry, medicine and digitalization makes the project unique in Germany. Prof. Dr. Otto W. Witte, Medical Director, University Hospital Jena (UKJ): "Telemedicine has long been established at the UKJ, it is the future, especially in a large state like Thuringia. The new telemedicine room also expands outpatient care options outside of Jena. The task now is to develop a sustainable operating model together with medical care centers and practices."
Background: Smart healthcare in Jena
The smart district of Jena-Lobeda is a showcase project for modern, networked and socially oriented living in the digital age. In addition to smart home technology and neighbourhood services, healthcare solutions are a particular focus of the district concept. The telemedicine room complements these measures with an easily accessible, digital interface to outpatient care.
The project is part of the federally funded "Smart Cities Model Projects" program and will be scientifically monitored and further developed until 2027.