Although eHealth cannot replace the physician-patient relationship, it has a fantastic potential, Minister of National Resources, Miklós Réthelyi emphasizsed, at the press briefing of the international ministerial conference eHealth Week 2011 in Budapest.
eHealth Week is the biggest European event in the field of ITC for healthcare, which is hosted every year by the European Commission and the current holder of the Presidency of the EU Council; and which is attended by health professionals and policy makers, as well as healthcare development companies. The motto of the three-day event launched on 10 May in Budapest, is "Investing in the healthcare systems of the future".
In pursuit of efficiency
"We have to invest in efficient care systems and to create more efficient healthcare," Minister of State for Health of the Ministry of National Resources, Mihály Szócska said in his opening remarks, at the press conference. He explained that electronic upgrades will greatly promote both healthcare policy decision-making and the provision system. "We have been talking about a new and modern healthcare provision system and ways to improve the existing ones," Mr Szócska said, summarising the objectives of the conference. He believes that accelerating eHealth developments, will help to create sustainable healthcare systems and strengthen Europe's competitiveness. Miklós Szócska stressed that this field also requires European cooperation.
The art of curing
"Curing is an art, but when problems occur, we need well-structured healthcare systems," Miklós Réthelyi explained, about the relation between electronic systems and patients. According to the minister "eHealth has a fantastic potential," but it cannot replace the physician-patient and nurse-patient relationships. The minister gave an account of his visit, together with members of the Commission and international healthcare professionals, to Semmelweis University of Budapest, where they became familiar with several remarkable medical research projects and technological innovations. In this context, Mr Réthelyi went to great lengths to emphasise the importance of innovation in healthcare.
Europe should not be underestimated
Vice-President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes did not conceal how impressed she was by the innovative solutions at Semmelweis University. The Commissioner said European creativity and innovation should not be underestimated. "There are lots of innovative solutions in Europe, which have to be made accessible," the Commissioner warned. Ms Kroes also mentioned that involving the business sector, would help a lot, in creating and disseminating new solutions. At the same time, the Commissioner underlined the importance of cooperation between Member States.
Healthcare without borders
European society is aging, the number of chronic diseases is increasing, and social insurance systems call for a reform in most Member States, European Commissioner for Health, John Dalli told the press conference, regarding the healthcare problems of Europe. Mr Dalli said, "eHealth can help us to overcome our problems in the long run, but we will also need to create a suitable environment for it. There are no borders in healthcare, it is very important to exchange best practices and primarily, we have to be cost-efficient." The Commissioner believes that we have to invest in new and innovative technologies. Also, we have to convince financial ministers of Member States that healthcare investments will pay off eventually.
Mr Dalli also mentioned that eHealth is also a big challenge for healthcare workers, as they have to learn to use new tools and transform their work methods. "New solutions are not meant to replace human labour: they have to be involved during the development stages," the Commissioner emphasised.
Mr Dalli reminded about recent achievements as well: he believes that several problems are solved by the Directive on "cross-border" healthcare, which was adopted by the Council during the term of the Hungarian Presidency, on 28 February, following the approval of the European Parliament.
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