SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being, has already proved to have made major progress in improving the health of millions of people, increasing life expectancy, reducing maternal and child mortality and fighting against leading communicable diseases. However, progress has stalled or slowed down in certain areas. With the growing trends of (i) ageing population, (ii) increasing number of patients with co-morbidities, (iii) growing number of medical specialties, (iv) need for changes in the financing mechanisms of hospitals and health and care institutions, (v) technological advancement, and (vi) increased healthcare costs and expenditure, there is a need to find better and more efficient solutions.
Thanks to the digital era in which we live, there are some areas where technology can help us improve the overall population’s health. The use of technological and digital tools is being integrated in all levels of society. This transformation has rapidly changed the landscape we live in and has shifted to a consumer focus paradigm. The healthcare sector is no exception.
Thanks to the digital era in which we live, there are some areas where technology can help us improve the overall population’s health. The use of technological and digital tools is being integrated in all levels of society. This transformation has rapidly changed the landscape we live in and has shifted to a consumer focus paradigm. The healthcare sector is no exception.
Using technological advancement in the field of healthcare to better address problems such as the increasing ageing population has been critical. Digital transformation in the healthcare field will be a key factor in fulfilling SDG 3, Good Health & Well-being, and the mutual collaboration and exchange of experiences among the different actors will only accelerate reaching this goal.
What do we propose?
Integrated care systems are patient focused and aim to enhance the overall quality of care by promoting patient safety, satisfaction, risk-adjusted patient outcomes and optimising the use of resources. An integrated approach harmonises and coordinates the management, organization, and delivery of services with the aid of ICT, digital health, big data and AI. This ensures healthcare services provide quality and efficient solutions to the needs of patients.
Thus, integrated care will be able to increase communication between care providers and reduce unnecessary costs of duplication of tests and services.
At the Assembly of European Regions, we have been taking part in the Scirocco Project – a project aimed to facilitate the successful scaling up and transfer of good practices in integrated care across European regions. By exploring how matching the complementary strengths and weakness of regions, it can be used to deliver two major benefits:
A strong basis for successful twinning and coaching that facilitates shared learning
A practical support for the scaling up of good practices that promote active and healthy ageing and participation in the community
AER is in charge of knowledge transfer as we specialize on mutual learning and regional policy innovation.
What do we propose?
Integrated care systems are patient focused and aim to enhance the overall quality of care by promoting patient safety, satisfaction, risk-adjusted patient outcomes and optimising the use of resources. An integrated approach harmonises and coordinates the management, organization, and delivery of services with the aid of ICT, digital health, big data and AI. This ensures healthcare services provide quality and efficient solutions to the needs of patients.
Thus, integrated care will be able to increase communication between care providers and reduce unnecessary costs of duplication of tests and services.
At the Assembly of European Regions, we have been taking part in the Scirocco Project – a project aimed to facilitate the successful scaling up and transfer of good practices in integrated care across European regions. By exploring how matching the complementary strengths and weakness of regions, it can be used to deliver two major benefits:
A strong basis for successful twinning and coaching that facilitates shared learning
A practical support for the scaling up of good practices that promote active and healthy ageing and participation in the community
AER is in charge of knowledge transfer as we specialize on mutual learning and regional policy innovation.