“Squeezing more out of the doctors is not the way to go. The caregivers in the family are no longer available. Statistically there will be no people to take care of the elderly 20 years from now," Iakovidis said. "We have a problem!"
Giving patients access to their electronic health records is a first step in the right direction and this is the goal the European Commission has set for 2015 in its Digital Agenda. This would allow more efficient use of repetitive prescriptions for chronically ill patients, for example. Another aspect of Europe’s 2020 strategy is telemedicine, which has not yet become part of our daily lives despite the fact that the technologies have been tried and tested and are ready for implementation.
“Telemedicine must be a medical act that is reimbursable,” Iakovidis said.
From research to innovation
Over the last 20 years, the European Commission has been investing "public cash" in eHealth research, something which the Commission is very good at. But research and innovation are two different kettles of fish: innovation is when research generates money, meaning revenues from marketable products and solutions. In this area the European Commission, as a public authority, has its natural limitations and therefore all European healthcare stakeholders should get together to drive innovation rather than remain bogged down by research.
“Innovation needs consensus – it takes years to get out of the collective monologue and build trust beyond political wishes,” Iakovidis said.
The European Commission’s Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) is a flagship initiative of the EU 2020 strategy, which focuses on sustainable growth through ICT. eHealth is a cornerstone of the strategy, which also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and the number of people living below the poverty line by 25%.
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Quelle/Source: HealthTech Wire, 11.05.2011
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