IModern health care is highly specialised and uses information intensively. Information is often fragmented among the different operators and organisations delivering health care services. As a result, treatments may be less effective and more costly. This information must be organised flexibly and coherently in order to be accessible and effective.
ICT applications have the potential to overcome fragmentation by integrating information, and thus to improve the quality of care and increase the cost effectiveness of treatments. Such applications have been developed and tested in several European cities.
The applications developed as part
of the InfoCities project fall broadly into two categories: information
services, and the exchange of patient-related data.
They are organised in a cluster of co-ordinated web sites on the internet,
and/or on restricted intranets. End-users can access services via leased lines
or through city information networks.
Benefits of these Services
Education: supporting continuous learning, training and development for health care professionals, and keeping them up-to-date with medical issues.
Quality of life: improving the quality of life and work for residents and professionals. For residents, the services offer easier and faster access to health care services and professionals, and quicker responses to their specific needs.
Flexibility of Service: By improving their knowledge of supply and demand in health care, providers can respond to people's needs with greater flexibility.
Environment: reducing the use of toxic chemicals and pollutants by using electronic imaging.
Sustainability: The applications are viable when sufficient numbers of health care professionals adopt them. When this level is reached, the applications increase the effectiveness of healthcare provision and contribute towards cost savings.
European Benefits:
- Eliminating barriers to health care by permitting easier access to services, and guaranteeing better service delivery. These are the first steps in eliminating social exclusion in health care and contribute to the overall quality of life for citizens of the European Union
- Exchanging and transferring medical expertise on a cross-national basis
- Increasing economic benefits over greater distances
- Sharing models of good practice
- Making the whole health care system visible and transparent to end-users/citizens.
Contribution to the competitiveness of the European economy: More efficient social and health care contributes to the competitiveness of the EU. Telemedicine is a significant export opportunity with the potential to bridge national barriers.
