NEWS > SPOTLIGHTS
June, 17, 2015
The spread and evolutions of information technologies and digital tools have enabled an entire new dimension of big-data storage and analytics that can bring tremendous improvements across industries, including healthcare. This paper recommends the creation of a European wide connected Electronic Health Records Organisation (EHRO) empowering patients by enabling the effective collection and usage of patients’ health data across member states, revolutionising healthcare and ultimately leading to better health outcomes for patients and payers irrespective of national borders. The creation of the EHRO aims at overcoming past hurdles and challenges faced by various member states, and catapults Europe to the forefront of the new digital century of health. A raft of recommendations and steps are provided, explaining how such an organisation would support member states to build, connect and use this platform. The proposal illustrates a scale-up approach leveraging on prototypes and building from existing pillars of success, while using an open and transparent approach to platform creation. A patient driven opt-in system will lead to fast adoption, while targeted education campaigns and an incentive-based system at health provider level will accelerate uptake and build trust. The system will not only empower patients and assist clinicians, but also will provide a wealth of knowledge to advance medical science, preventing diseases and improve health for everyone.
