FEATURE - Enabling better care delivery for older people eHealth
María Iglesia Gomez is head of unit in European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers, responsible for innovation in these areas. She manages the development and implementation of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing that fosters eHealth as an enabler for better health and quality of life of older people
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s a consequence of low birth rates and increased longevity rates right across Europe, over the next two decades the number of Europeans aged over 65 is expected to rise by 30 per cent, from 87 million in 2010 to 124 million in 2030 .
The progressive shift towards an older population, who are more likely to develop chronic illnesses and need more care and advanced treatments, puts pressure on social and health care budgets, already scarce in the current negative fiscal environment. In order to mitigate the aged-related challenges, the European Commission seeks to support cost-effective and innovative ways to make care systems sustainable and respond to the needs of older people. One of the Commission’s initiatives is the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (‘The Partnership’) that mobilises multiple stakeholders in putting forward innovative solutions to meet the needs of ageing societies. Proper adherence to medical plans and treatment, fall prevention,
more personalised, patient-centred care, independent living or increasing the possibility of carrying out regular check-ups from home, are some of needs older people have when developing chronic conditions. Whether complex or simple, these demands are all potential candidates for innovative solutions and this is where eHealth comes into play. eHealth can provide initiatives and tools to contribute to making healthcare better and more responsive and enable people to become more active participants in the care and services they receive. Within the Partnership, stakeholders are encouraged to take
advantage of existing potential in ICT that can support the modernisation and transformation of the delivery of care and services in response to current challenges and care needs. For example, the Partnership promotes initiatives to make it easier for older people to liaise with their doctors on line and access and interact with their health records electronically. eHealth also helps inform and support people in their own homes so they can better manage and maintain their own health and, if ill, better control their
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illness to live more independently as well as comply with their often complex medication regimens. eHealth can succeed if it is used as a facilitator rather than a tool
to achieve the Partnership’s objectives. It can indeed help improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of care, making care systems more sustainable and efficient. According to findings from a preliminary evaluation of the UK’s large-scale demonstration project released in 2012, tele-health and telecare services, if used smartly and correctly, can bring a reduction in hospitalisation admissions by up to 20 per cent as well as significant decrease in mortality rates of up to 45 per cent . On the basis of the potential of eHealth and its benefits for all, the
Partnership seeks to make a substantial contribution to the process of development and deployment of its solutions for citizens across Europe. By working in an EU-wide partnership based on collaborative innovation, the committed stakeholders can mobilise new approaches, such as the large-scale procurement of innovative solutions for older people. This will benefit not only our health and care systems by increasing their efficiency, but also lead to a better quality of life for our citizens and, as Europe takes a global lead in this process, create new growth and job opportunities in the EU as well.
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2012 Ageing Report: Economic and budgetary projections for the 27 EU Member States (2010-2060)
http://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/our-work/projects/impact-telehealth-and- telecare-evaluation-whole-system-demonstrator-project
An example of commitment related to eHealth tools
In its commitment ‘Using mobile technology’, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Northern Ireland intends to have patients’ medication history uploaded onto their mobile phones. Reminders are sent to them every time a medicine is required. The mobile phone issues weekly reporting to the patient’s GP/pharmacist so that on-going monitoring can take place. Should adherence fall below an acceptable level, the pharmacist contacts the patient and identifies any particular issues with the medicines regimen, e.g. side-effects, supply issues or administration issues. The pharmacist will reinforce positive messages regarding medicines’ adherence and act as a hub between social carers, the prescriber and formal and informal carers to ensure the right level of support and management is available to the patient.
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