The European Commission has released details of a new ‘Action Plan′ to improve the take up of e-Health across Europe. Among its key proposals are plans to finally specify the explicit structure of patient record data so that they can be exchanged across borders, improve patients′ digital “health literacy,” the release of a mobile health green paper by 2014, improve the market conditions for e-Health entrepreneurs and many other steps.
One of the next hot areas of digital investment is connected health management. The number of apps that help empowered patients take charge of their own conditions is growing, and investors are piling in.
Read more: Europe wants to smash 'barriers' to digital health
While patients and health professionals are enthusiastically using telehealth solutions and millions of Europeans have downloaded smartphone apps to keep track of their health and wellbeing, digital healthcare has yet to reap its great potential to improve healthcare and generate efficiency savings.
Read more: EU Action Plan unveiled for a digital future for healthcare
Studies show that only 9 % of EU consumers buy goods online from other countries, with both eRetailers and consumers expressing their concerns about the shortcomings of current delivery systems used for goods ordered online. 57 % of eRetailers consider cross-border delivery to be an obstacle to trading, while 47 % of consumers worry about delivery in cross-border transactions. An efficient delivery (and return) system is key to facilitating further growth in eCommerce and therefore consumer choice and convenience.
Read more: EU: EC launches consultation on cross-border eCommerce issues and needs
As Neelie Kroes, Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda, stated: "Europe's healthcare systems aren't yet broken, but the cracks are beginning to show. It's time to give this 20th Century model a health check. The new European eHealth Action Plan sets out how we can bring digital benefits to healthcare, and lift the barriers to smarter, safer, patient-centred health services."
Read more: EU: eHealth Action Plan: Digital tools at the patients’ service