The new era of technology has opened a way to build an innovative system of healthcare, the so called e-health. It’s not only about technological improvements, the way of thinking is mainly changing. Many sectors are involved and the consequent shortcomings in communication and efficiency need to be addressed.
E-health and diversity
The healthcare system is now moving towards a new frontier. Open spaces for scientific information as online database for patients, forum for experience sharing and connections among stakeholders might be soon available. This new e-health environment is in fact bringing together stakeholders from very different sectors. Medical, business and technological companies need to work together. The diversity, however, is often generating communication problems which bring about not negligible consequences. Bad quality services, inefficiency, not rigorous scientific evaluations are outcomes which cannot be underestimated. For this reason stakeholders must gather and find a mutual understanding to overcome them.
Technology and patients
Creating digital platforms as well as data sharing need the intervention of technological companies. Dr. Bertalan Mesko, geek physician, explains on his blog The Medical Futurist, the great potentials of technological companies. They have a comparative advantage in developing new artificial intelligence. New tools for monitoring diseases, health services at your fingertips may really change people daily life. The main message however is that the creation of new products, of innovative ideas, must begin getting closer to the patients. Only understanding their needs we can think of how to make the difference. In the words of Dr. Mesko, “we need to embrace disruptive technologies, put patients in the center, shift from treatment to prevention and digitize the delivery of care“. It’s not just a matter of finding the right tech-device, but of understanding how to use it, who could benefits. The key challenge is to meet patient needs and technology, transforming the concept of healthcare.
E-health:let’s find a common language
Communication among stakeholders needs to be improved and they need opportunities to deepen cooperation. The AER’s Committee 1 & 2 are jointly organising the event “E-health:let’s find a common language” on 1 December in Brussels. The event will take place in the framework of the AER Regional Innovation Award ceremony, held on 30 November and it will give chances to boost engagements and develop a common understanding among stakeholders. Networking, sharing ideas and creating a global thinking are the commitments to change people attitudes. Let’s start from the local and regional level to build a future for digital healthcare.
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