The WHO Europe recently presented an extensive report on eHealth’s implementation in the European region, reporting an increased appetite for eHealth.
The World Health Organisation’s regional office for Europe recently presented an extensive report on eHealth’s implementation in the European region since the last report on the 2009 global survey. Key outcomes from the report provide evidence of an increasing appetite for eHealth in the region.
Out of the 53 Member States in the European Region, 47 responded to the 2015 WHO global survey on eHealth, amounting to an overall regional response rate of 89%.
The report shows a clear indication that tangible progress is being made in the mainstreaming of technology solutions to improve public health and health service delivery. With Member States actively building on their national foundations for eHealth to deliver public health and health services in an integrated manner.
The results demonstrated a substantial need for stronger political commitment for eHealth, backed by sustainable funding and effective implementation of policy protected from frequent changes.
Member States acknowledge the important role of eHealth in contributing to the achievement of universal health coverage and have a clear recognition of the need for national policies, strategies and governance to ensure the progress and long-term sustainability of investments.
The World Health Organisation’s regional office for Europe considered their recommendations a call to action for all Member States in the WHO European Region to take the appropriate measures to strengthen existing national eHealth foundations and also accelerate activities for future development and adoption of eHealth.
The key recommendations showed a need for an inclusive and intersectoral approach to the development of national eHealth strategies as well as implementation of a national eHealth strategy that embodies the elements of achieving the Health 2020 policy.
Furthermore, in the mHealth area, the 2009 WHO global survey revealed that lack of legislation or regulation for mHealth programmes were the largest barrier to the adoption of mHealth for national healthcare solutions. In 2015 legal issues are overtaken by funding as the most important barrier to mHealth adoption. All responding Member States indicated to varying degrees that funding is a barrier, with 10 countries reporting it is an extremely important barrier.
Read the full WHO report here
Talking Medicines is an exciting mHealth company based in Scotland with a focus on bringing post prescription medical packaging to life via mobile applications that blend technology for image recognition. We aim to empower patients to take their health into their own hands and improve poor adherence to medicines.
