SESSIONS
In the face of continuously mounting pressure, Europe’s current healthcare systems are unsustainable. Because European prosperity is dependent on the health of its citizens we need changes in our healthcare systems to maximize economic value and improve patient outcomes. The pressures we see today are set to rise as a result of aging populations and the changing patterns of disease. Not only are our healthcare systems ill-equipped to deal with this shift in demographics and behavioral change, they are also faced with increased public scrutiny and demand for more and better quality services.
As the demand for more and better health services increases, spending on healthcare will continue to grow significantly faster than GDP. It has already reached 9% of GDP in Europe, and in OECD countries (a large proportion of which are European) it has been estimated that it will reach 16% of GDP by 2020. It is therefore incumbent on all healthcare stakeholders to act now together to develop new health strategies that can drive healthcare efficiencies and improve clinical benefit for people and to ensure economic prosperity.
At the same time, the potential to improve quality of care and drive cost efficiencies through the use of new and innovative technologies in areas such as imaging, healthcare IT/eHealth has never been greater.
This presentation sets out priority objectives for improving healthcare, and advocates a five-step approach from collecting medical information and documenting patient to sharing pathways leading to disease management. The focus is to accelerate the adoption of a value-based healthcare system utilizing information technology. The example of the national roll-out of Imaging IT In UK will be illustrated and documented in terms of benefits and impacts.
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Biography
Dr Eric Maurincomme is the Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer of Agfa HealthCare, a 1.4b€ leading provider of IT-enabled clinical workflow and diagnostic imaging solutions. In his current position, Eric is leading all strategy, marketing and communications activities, world-wide, at Agfa HealthCare.
From 2004 to 2008, he held the position of Vice-President Business Development, driving Agfa HealthCare to significantly reposition itself as a leader in Healthcare Information Technologies, through organic development and external acquisitions in Europe and North America. Eric has been initiating the strategy and leading the e-health activities globally, expanding his company’s reach beyond the hospital IT arena, and joining forces with companies interested in clinical research.
