The WHO final consultation on the European framework for action on integrated health services delivery 2–4th May Copenhagen, Denmark
The European Health Future Forum was invited to reflect on how to empower patients through e-health and other innovations. This was part of the session ‘Innovations in services delivery: interventions and illustrative country cases’ under moderation of Ellen Nolte, Coordinator, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Organisations were asked to share the ideas, views and experiences on innovation in practice.
Ellen started with the key question: what is actually needed for putting new processes and resources into practice, reflecting also on different approaches and techniques for managing the change process itself?
Nick Guldemond representing EHFF started the depiction of the current paradigm shift, where a mainly institutionalised curative oriented systems need transform to transform towards interconnected health networks in which digital solutions play a crucial role.
Currently, we see rapid developments in medical technology and consumer electronics: 1) there’s an overwhelming number of apps available to support personal health, 2) there’s an increasing number of intelligent devices and apps on the market for disease management such as diabetes and COPD, 3) the technology for smart homes and Internet of Things (IoT) to support independent living in seniors and people with chronic conditions now really catch on and 4) obviously, there’re many developments in the cure technology domain which could facilitate secondary and tertiary prevention: i.e. support community care and to avoid hospitalisation.
However, we see a very persistent fragmentation of all these of solutions: interconnectivity is not established, essential data is not shared between portals, devices and systems of providers and consequently integrated health services delivery is obstructed rather than supported by technology.
Also, in the creation of the these solutions the patient was seldom involved or the real needs were not taken in consideration.
This was also stated and confirmed by Kasia Immonen-Charalambous of the European Patient Forum.
Therefore we need a better distribution of knowledge and experience through best practices on co-creation of technology enabled health solutions.
Special attention should be given to engagement and involvement of patients and their informal carers.
A framework such as the WHO is aiming at, could help in providing tools and examples how to do this: a targeted approach for specific stakeholders (work floor people, policymakers, decision makers, financers) at different levels (local, regional, national, etc.) is recommendable.
The WHO framework could work complementary or in synergy with EIP on Active and Healthy Ageing initiative and the programs on standardisation of healthcare services and supporting technologies: links below.
It’s important that frameworks and related strategies are adopted by local/regional settings and their partners to be successful in implementation and up-scaling.
During the whole conference EHFF played a crucial role in linking the different dimension of integrated care together with concrete examples and suggestions.
The final version of the framework for action on integrated health services delivery is expected autumn 2016 and meanwhile EHFF will continuing to contribute with all our members and partners.
WHO integrated care and standardization http://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/events/events/2016/05/final-consultation-on-the-european-framework-for-action-on-integrated-health-services-delivery
ISO International Workgroup Agreement ‘Community-based integrated life-long health and care services for aged societies led by BSI and Japan’. http://www.standards.org.au/OurOrganisation/News/Documents/IWA_Community_based_integrated_health_and_care_services_for_aged_societies_UPDATED_2015-03-18.pdf
Putting science into standards: http://ecibc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/-/putting-science-into-standards-evidence-based-quality-assurance-an-example-for-breast-canc-1
The European Innovation Partnership is an initiative from the European Commission, EU member states, regions and individual organisations: https://ec.europa.eu/eip/ageing/home_en
A contribution by Nick Guldemond (Senior Associate EHFF)