EU support to eHealth and cost-benefits

Abstract

When compared to other countries, the use of ICT in health is relatively developed in Europe although there are significant differences across EU member states. A lot remains to be done before eHealth will have become commonplace for health professionals, patients and citizens. The gap between potential for eHealth development and actual achievements can be significant. A key difficulty is creating systems to be used with satisfaction by both consumers and clinicians. eHealth raises complex management problems and competing options requiring careful consideration of the expected benefits to outweigh the costs. To have a measurable impact, EU actions need a rationale with an identifiable place into national eHealth plans, adapted to different degrees of member states' ICT development. EU actions should be concentrated on selected activities, according to a rigorous set of priorities commensurate with the available means. Adequate accountability processes should provide a credible review of both expectations and results in view of making future approaches more relevant and effective.