European Commission Holds an Important Role in Implementing eHealth in Europe

A new study introduces a set of policy recommendations for the European Commission (EC; Brussels, Belgium) and other stakeholders to improve the overall quality and efficiency of health services through eHealth.

The study, coordinated by RAND Europe (Cambridge, United Kingdom) in partnership with Capgemini Consulting (Paris, France), claims that senior management and staff involvement are key to make sure that business models in eHealth do not fall short of reflecting the interactions of participants who are to use them in their day-to-day professional activities. Additionally, public policy actions need to support the development of value-creating business models for eHealth; national healthcare authorities, health professional associations, healthcare delivery organizations, the healthcare industry, and the research community must share perspectives on applicable best practice and experience. The study calls for the EC to act as the coordinating body for launching eHealth pilot projects.

The set of responsibilities for the EC, as named by the study, include fostering the sharing of specific best practice, for the design of value-creating and sustainable business models for eHealth systems; defining benchmarking parameters to ensure that individual organizations are able to monitor and compare the way that they develop and implement business models for eHealth; and supporting the development of best practice for funding and financing individual eHealth systems, via specific incentives such as tax breaks and/or different reimbursement procedures or co-funding mechanisms.

Bringing legal clarity to facilitate the identification and authorization of professional health staff accessing and using personal health data should also be the responsibility of the EC, as is ensuring the safe exchange of medical data across national borders. The need to protect health data and the personal integrity of the patient, as well as the rights of patients to give their consent to the use of their medical data, should also be respected. Finally, the EC should work towards the solution of technical issues and the facilitation of market developments via interoperability, common medical terminologies, and technical standards, as well as preprocurement activities.

The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union; it responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union. The EC operates as a cabinet government, with 27 Commissioners, one per member state, though Commissioners are bound to represent the interests of the EU as a whole rather than their home state. One of the 27 is the Commission President (currently José Manuel Durão Barroso of Portugal) appointed by the European Council.

Related Links:
European Commission
RAND Europe
Capgemini Consulting