18 - 19 November 2014, Brussels, Belgium.Focusing on clinical and financial benefits, the First Annual COCIR eHealth Summit took place in Brussels, Belgium, in partnership with HIMSS Europe and the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE). In an era of integrated care, it is increasingly important to invest in eHealth. Even though challenges remain, COCIR's eHealth summit was a great space to share concrete best practices.
The event saw four sessions on 1) digital hospitals, 2) regional and national electronic health records, 3) big data and 4) mHealth - themes which are driving dynamic change in healthcare delivery and helping healthcare systems become more sustainable. Each session saw diverse stakeholder perspectives including industry, users and national/regional authorities. We were delighted to also have a diabetic patient perspective to better understand the realities and how mHealth helped his daily life.
'The future hospital' was discussed throughout the summit, with participants agreeing that it will, over time, become smaller and more specialised, complemented by products and services which will allow patients to be treated remotely. Examples of regions moving towards this model - including Denmark - were presented. The efficiency of electronic patient record (EPR) deployment and handling health ICT management was also covered – patients and healthcare professionals will benefit from data to improve care delivery. However, it was made clear that the current healthcare system needs to be redesigned to include financial incentives, capitalise on innovation and help EPR implementation and deployment nationally and regionally.
Nicole Denjoy, COCIR Secretary General, said "COCIR is delighted to have brought together key stakeholders at our first eHealth summit. The broad range of participants and varied discussions demonstrated the event's success. COCIR will continue to be the leading health ICT industry voice and work together with healthcare providers, patients, regulators and EU institutions."
About COCIR
COCIR is the European Trade Association representing the medical imaging, health ICT and electromedical industries. Founded in 1959, COCIR is a non-profit association headquartered in Brussels (Belgium) with a China Desk based in Beijing since 2007. COCIR is unique as it brings together the healthcare, IT and telecommunications industries.