eHealth workshop: The benefits of ICT in European healthcare systems and the challenges ahead

On 12 October, over 100 key stakeholders attended an eHealth workshop in the European Parliament. The event, hosted by Antonyia Parvanova MEP and jointly run by hanover Brussels and the ACCA, was an opportunity for speakers and participants to hear and exchange views on eHealth governance in Europe. There was also wide ranging discussion on the benefits of and the barriers to the use of ICT in health and the current policy landscape. Watch podcasts from some of the workshop's expert speakers.

The event began with a speech from Antonyia Parvanova MEP before moving onto a best practice session with a series of high profile speakers involved in the success application of ICT in healthcare around Europe. This was followed by a lively multistakeholder panel debate led by hanover Communications Director, Christian Hierholzer, on the future of eHealth. During the discussion a consensus emerged of the huge potential that eHealth has to improve patient care and reduce the costs of healthcare across Europe. Especially against the background of an ageing population, higher patient expectations and the rising cost of healthcare provision. Participants, however, were concerned that there still remain a large number of obstacles, including lack of interoperability and data protection issues, which are hindering the development of eHealth.

One of the highlights of the day was a key note speech from Commissioner John Dalli who joined participants for a session looking at the policy options for healthcare within the European Union. Commissioner Neelie Kroes contributed to the debate with a video message to attendees.

A range of other stakeholders present at the event also helped contribute to laying out the possible next steps required to improve the application of eHealth across Europe and helping to provide a useful foundation for further discussion and policy development on this matter.

View podcasts for some of the speakers’ views on the future of eHealth in Europe:

Antonyia Parvanova MEP
Dean Westcott, ACCA
Petra Wilson, Cisco Systems Inc.
Dr Luc Maes, Belgian eHealth Platform
Dr Pierre Espinoza, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Paris

Dr Simonetta Scalvini, IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation

Anna Lefevre Skjöldebrand, Swedish Medtech & Eucomed eHealth Taskforce
Monika Kosinska, European Public Health Alliance