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eHealth in Europe: towards higher goals
Persephone Doupi1, Päivi Hämäläinen, Pekka Ruotsalainen
1Centre of Excellence for Information and Communication Technology (OSKE), Finland.
World Hospitals and Health Services : the Official Journal of the International Hospital Federation
|August 18, 2005
Summary
European eHealth initiatives are a priority, with this study comparing EU-15 and EU-25 developments. It analyzes European Commission actions against national strategies and expert insights on eHealth drivers and barriers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Informatics
- European Health Policy
Background:
- eHealth is a strategic priority for the European Commission, highlighted in the eEurope 2002 and 2005 Action Plans.
- The study addresses the need to understand national-level eHealth progress within the evolving European Union landscape.
Purpose of the Study:
- To contrast the current state of eHealth in the EU-15 with emerging trends and priorities in the EU-25.
- To analyze the alignment between European Commission initiatives and national Member State strategies.
- To identify key drivers and barriers influencing eHealth implementation through expert feedback.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of eHealth status and trends across EU-15 and EU-25.
- Review of European Commission policies and actions.
- Examination of national Member State strategic priorities and implementation efforts.
- Incorporation of expert feedback on eHealth adoption factors.
Main Results:
- Significant divergence in eHealth development and strategic priorities between EU-15 and EU-25.
- Varied implementation of European Commission eHealth initiatives at the national level.
- Expert feedback highlights common drivers such as technological advancement and patient demand, alongside barriers like interoperability issues and funding limitations.
Conclusions:
- eHealth development in Europe is dynamic, with ongoing efforts to harmonize strategies post-enlargement.
- Effective implementation requires coordinated action between European institutions and national governments.
- Addressing identified drivers and barriers is crucial for advancing eHealth adoption across the European Union.