Predictive, Preventive, Personalised and Participatory Health (PRECISE)

PRECISE is a multidisciplinary research group focused on utilising genomic data, synthetic data and artificial intelligence to promote health and wellbeing. We aim to shift healthcare from a reactive approach towards a predictive, preventive, personalised and participatory (P4) model that enhances both the quality and cost-effectiveness of care.

Our research covers rare diseases as well as widespread public health challenges, such as cancer, cardiovascular and brain diseases. In addition, we develop the competencies of healthcare professionals, participatory operating models, pandemic preparedness and safety expertise.

PRECISE addresses the growing need to develop P4 care models for use within the Finnish healthcare system.

Research themes

1. Integration of genomic data, health data and artificial Intelligence into clinical practice and education

Our objective is to develop educational and operational models that enable the ethical and effective use of genomic data, health data and artificial intelligence in clinical practice and education. This work strengthens expertise and cooperation between TAMK, the wider higher education community and international partners.

2. Development and piloting predictive and personalised care models

Our aim is to build and test data-driven P4 models that support early detection, prevention and targeted interventions for various diseases. Collaboration with Tampere University’s P4 network, wellbeing services counties, international networks and industry partners plays a central role.

3. Ethical and societal sustainability in data-driven healthcare

This theme focuses on developing ethically sustainable practices for applying AI, data and genomic information in healthcare.

4. Solutions for societal change and the care crisis

Our goal is to develop social innovations and safety solutions that support managing the care crisis and strengthening the resilience of the healthcare system.

Leader

Arja Halkoaho

professor of Practice

Social Services and Health Care

Tampere University of Applied Sciences

arja.halkoaho [at] tuni.fi (arja[dot]halkoaho[at]tuni[dot]fi)

+358406603307

Main Campus

Group leader

TtT, Arja Halkoaho, Professor of Practice in P4 medicine, Principal Researcher
Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Faculty of Social Services and Health Car e)
Tampere University (Facul t y of M e dici n e a nd H e al t h T e ch nolog y)
Contact information

Other group members

Docent, Senior Researcher Petra Korpisalo-Pirinen (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

PhD, Reseacher Suyen Karki (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

MHS, Researcher Nina Smolander (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

PhD Pipsa Tuominen (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

PhD Outi Tuisku (Faculty of Industrial Engineering)

PhD Tuula-Maria Rintala (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

PhD Lea Saarni (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

PhD Sanna Ruhalahti (Faculty of Pedagogical Innovations and Culture)

MHS, Doctoral Researcher, Mari Laaksonen (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

MHS, Doctoral Researcher, Elisa Airikkala (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

MHS, Doctoral Researcher, Minna Tiainen (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

MHS Essi Ylistalo (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

MSc (Tech) Heidi Peltolehto (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care)

PhD Sampo Saari (Faculty of Built Environment and Bioeconomy)

Publications

This section presents the research group’s publications starting from year 2025.

Peer‑reviewed publications

Brauer, S., Ruhalahti, S., & Korhonen, A.-M. (2025). Osaamismerkit ammatillisen opettajan toimijuuden tukena [Digital Badges as Support for Vocational Teachers’ Professional Agency]. Ammattikasvatuksen aikakauskirja, 27(4), 16–38. https://doi.org/10.54329/akakk.178410

Kartsoni, E., Bakalis, N., Markakis, G., Ruhalahti, S., Zografakis-Sfakianakis, M., Patelarou, E., & Patelarou, A. (2026). Predictors of Distance Learning Acceptance Among Undergraduate Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greece. COVID, 6(6), 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/covid6060097

Laaksonen, M., Paavilainen, E., Koivisto, A.-M., & Halkoaho, A. (2025). Genomic competence among nurses: A spotlight on ethics. Nursing Ethics, 32(8):2683-2697. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330251366594

Silvennoinen, M., Alanko-Turunen, M., Vilppola, J. & Ruhalahti, S. (2025). Themes and potential gaps in research on vocational education and universities of applied sciences in Finland: A scoping review of studies published in 2020–2022. European Journal of Education Studies, 12 (2), 14–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i2.5802

Verboven, K., Wikström-Grotell, C., Lehtinen-Jacks, S., Davis, M. E., O’Donoghue, G., Tuominen, P. P. A., Agten, A., Curran, F., & Cunningham, C. (2025). Obesity competencies for healthcare professionals: a scoping review. BMC Medical Education, 25(1), Article 1367. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07973-3

Zhu, D., Karki, S., Dhariwal, M., Soini, E., & Asseburg, C. (2025). Patient-Reported Outcomes of Visual Disturbances with a Trifocal Intraocular Lens: A Meta-Analysis. Ophthalmology Therapy 14, 379–390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-024-01085-9.

Conference and seminar abstracts:

Laaksonen, M., Paavilainen, E., Koivisto, A., & Halkoaho, A. (2025). Ethics and Genomic Competence: A Nursing Perspective. Oral presentation. World Conference In Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Ruhalahti, S. & Tapani, A. (2025). Fostering higher education pedagogy through digital open badges: Case Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Finland. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference, PROFE25, Màlaga, Spain.

Ruhalahti, S. (2025). Deeper learning through pedagogical learning design. In IATED 2025 Proceedings (pp. 368–374). Paper presented at the 19th Annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, Spain. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390200614_DEEPER_LEARNING_THROUGH_PEDAGOGICAL_LEARNING_DESIGN

Verboven, K., Tuominen, P., Agten, A., Lehtinen-Jacks, S., Wikström-Grotell, C., O’Donoghue, G., Landerdahl-Stridsberg, S., Larsson, C., Davis, M. E., & Cunningham, C. (2025, September 10-12). Obesity competencies for healthcare professional education: a scoping review. ENPHE Conference, The Future of Physiotherapy Education: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities, Breda, Netherlands.

Verboven, K., Wikström-Grotell, C., Törnblom, C., Lehtinen-Jacks, S., Blake, C., Davis, M. E., O'Donoghue, G., Tuominen, P., Pystynen, T., Agten, A., Kosińska, E., Carpio García, A., Fridén, C., & Cunningham, C. (2025, September 10-12). Promoting Obesity and Metabolic Rehabilitation INclusion in EU Entry-level Physiotherapy Curricula PROMINENCE project. ENPHE Conference, The Future of Physiotherapy Education: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities, Breda, Netherlands.

Other publications:

Goeman, K., Galhenage Galvão, A., Cherbonnier, A., Heutte, J., Ruhalahti, S., Lehto, T., & Katto, L. (2026). Blended higher education in Europe: A review of frameworks and principles for design, quality and maturity. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18999344

Ruhalahti, S. (2026). Syväoppiminen ei synny sattumalta. TAMK Journal.

Tuominen, P. & Pystynen, T. 2025. Terveysalan ammattilaisten kompetenssit lihavuuden ehkäisyssä, hoidossa ja kuntoutuksessa. TAMK Journal, 12.12.2025. https://sites.tuni.fi/tamk-julkaisut/terveys/terveysalan-ammattilaisten-kompetenssit-lihavuuden-ehkaisyssa-hoidossa-ja-kuntoutuksessa-pipsa-tuominen-ja-tiina-pystynen/