The Digital Policy Alliance said the government should actually be praised for its telehealth initiatives, which involve patients remaining in the comfort of their own home and being remotely monitored by doctors and other clinicians through internet connected devices.
Ministers hope to use the technology to both save billions for the health service in reduced hospital admissions, at the same time as helping millions of patients to live independently at home for longer.
But risks needed to be addressed, the alliance's new report said. The UK lacked skills and knowledge of the capabilities and use of telehealth systems.
Currently there was also a lack of multi-agency coordination and responsibility to ensure high quality patient care.
And the single biggest barrier to telehealth and telecare adoption was proving the benefits to those who would incur the costs. GP practices and adult social service departments do not always see any financial benefit from the services, the report said.
Dr Edward Phelps, secretary-general of the Digital Policy Alliance said: "Government must ensure that health-care professionals are educated properly in the use of these varied technologies and that there are clear best practice guidelines available to them."
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Quelle/Source: Public Service, 23.01.2013
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