11 - 13 May 2015, Riga, Latvia.Influential ministerial delegates and eHealth experts from across Europe have come together to discuss how they can join forces to improve healthcare in Europe through information technology. This year's eHealth Week, held in Riga, Latvia saw more than 1,300 speakers, delegates and vendors come together to find new ideas and solutions, participate in educational sessions, exhibitions and networking opportunities and make key announcements.
The Nordic countries revealed interesting findings and next steps for them in terms of eHealth. Finland, for instance, announced they will be switching off paper-based prescriptions by 2017, as they "have reached nearly 100% coverage with electronic prescriptions now", according to Maritta Korhonen, Head of Development in the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Paul Timmers, Director Sustainable & Secure Society, DG CONNECT at the European Commission, who spoke during the closing plenary said he was rooting for a European eHealth Community which can turn actions into tangible results with real impact for patients. He said: "I am glad to see that the eHealth community is committed to deliver results with real influence in terms of healthier citizens, more efficient and better healthcare services and economic growth and jobs. By joining up forces and learning from each other we can deliver a social and economic return on digital investment in health and social care."
In addition, this year's discussions were very much focused on mHealth. Many sessions addressed the need to start regulating mobile health apps, especially if they are going to be used as a medical device. This regulatory discussion is very much dependant on safety and privacy challenges which go hand in hand with providing a legislative approach to mHealth apps. Misleading medical results or misdiagnosis are some issues these apps are currently facing.
Christina Roosen, Vice-President of HIMSS Europe said: "It is becoming increasingly important for decision makers throughout Europe to be able to meet at least once a year in an all-encompassing event eHealth Week is to be the meeting point.
"Once again, our collaboration with the Ministry and the European Commission has proven to be a successful way to provide a platform for everybody who matters within the European eHealth Community to meet. Many meaningful discussions have taken place during the three day event; President Ilves' keynote speech provided an insight to his 'Redesigning Health in Europe for 2020' project, which was extremely well received."
eHealth Week 2015 concluded with an invitation to join next year's edition in Amsterdam, on the week of 6 June, in The Netherlands, the country which will be holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
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About World of Health IT
The World Congress of Health IT Conference & Exhibition is the premier forum for the advancement of IT in healthcare in Europe. To address the needs of key stakeholders in the community of eHealth in Europe, The World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition offers professional development sessions, suppliers exhibitions, exchange of best practices, networking sessions and debates and discussions concerning the issues that will shape the future of eHealth.
About HIMSS
HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded 52 years ago, HIMSS and its related organizations are headquartered in Chicago with additional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. HIMSS represents nearly 50,000 individual members, of which more than two thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. HIMSS also includes over 570 corporate members and more than 225 not-for-profit partner organizations that share our mission of transforming healthcare through the effective use of information technology and management systems. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare practices and public policy through its content expertise, professional development, research initiatives, and media vehicles designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to improving the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of patient care.
About eHealth Week and WoHIT
eHealth Week 2015, combined with the World of Health IT (WoHIT), is the main eHealth event in Europe, to be held in Riga, in May 11 - 13, as part of Latvia's Presidency of the EU Council. It is organized by the European Commission, the Latvian Ministry of Health and the international non-governmental organization HIMSS Europe. During eHealth Week 2015 over a thousand international experts from the fields of IT and healthcare, public institutions, professional and patient organisations will visit Latvia.