Description (short summary):
In 2020 the health and health care of European citizens could look quite different. Europeans find themselves today on the threshold of a new era with many opportunities for radical improvements in the way healthcare is managed and received. In order to ensure the sustainability of European health care systems, there is a need to tackle considerable challenges.

This report focuses on how to achieve a vision of affordable, less intrusive and more personalised care. Ultimately, increasing the quality of life as well as lowering mortality. Such a vision depends on the application of ICT and the use of data.

The Task Force behind this report was convened to explore the potential of ICT in health innovation in the EU and make recommendations on what could be done now to ensure that Europe reaps the full benefits of eHealth in 2020.

The first section of this report describes the five levers that could create the momentum for change in health, setting out the preconditions and benefits for different groups of stakeholders.

The second section highlights five recommendations for action in order to achieve the vision of eHealth in 2020. The recommendations for action are addressed primarily to policymakers at the European and national levels. All stakeholders gain through the use of eHealth although the impact differs for each category of stakeholder and the benefits may be direct or indirect (see Annex II).

The Annexes to the report provide explanatory tables for preconditions and benefits, some examples of good practice and innovation, and a list of terms relevant for eHealth and key EU actions on eHealth.

Number of pages:
Main report: 20
Annexes: 15
 

Related ePractice news article:
EU: eHealth Task Force's recommendations for redesigning health in Europe