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Strategic Analysis of the Role of the Internet in Healthcare Delivery in Europe
Frost & Sullivan, June 2004
The Era of eHealth Begins as Real Healthcare Delivery over the Internet Commences
The healthcare industry in Europe has joined the Internet revolution that is sweeping the world. Providers are now looking to use this powerful medium to provide efficient, cost-effective healthcare. However, capitalising on the opportunities it offers presents a considerable challenge. While the United States currently leads the way in its extensive use of the net to deliver paid-for healthcare, Europe’s usage has been relatively less. Nevertheless, countries such as the United Kingdom have undertaken encouraging initiatives in this regard. The country’s primary healthcare provider, the National Health Service (NHS), has implemented a rudimentary self-diagnosis service that has the distinction of being the first working eHealth programme in the European Union (EU).
This research examines the impact of the Internet on healthcare in Europe, analysing major developments that are likely to affect its role presently and in the future. It also discusses key opportunities for Internet vendors and helps in developing strategies for success.
Cost Cutting is a Key Driver
The holy grail for Europe's largely public-funded healthcare providers is low-cost, high-quality service in the patient's home where possible. An ageing population and reducing tax takes as the working population diminishes in number means that the current level of health spending is unsustainable, notes the analyst of this research service.
The potential for cost savings is, therefore, one of the most compelling reasons to use the Internet since it offers low-cost data transfer. With European governments increasingly feeling the pressure to optimally use health budgets, the need for healthcare delivery through the Internet, wherever possible, is likely to continue to grow.
Vendors Need to Move Quickly to Gain Competitive Advantage
With the opportunities available for cost savings and for the development of new markets, vendors interested in healthcare delivery through the Internet will need to have firm strategies in place before the competition gets too fierce. Vendors looking to access new markets in the EU must keep in mind that many Europeans do not speak English as a matter of course. Currently, since much of the data available on the Internet is in English, this could pose a strong challenge.
With some of the biggest opportunities existing in European countries where English is not widely spoken, enterprising vendors that translate their offerings into other European languages could steal a march on new entrants that have the difficult task of building out their offerings, remarks the analyst.
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