Christoph Westerteicher , business director of EU Telehealth, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions, poses an interesting question:
“Why is Telehealth being adopted more rapidly in some communities and regions and not in others?”

He will be involved in the UK’s King’s Fund International Congress in Telehealth, gathering experts from across Europe to discuss how to expand upon growth of Telehealth-based healthcare in their areas.

Philips will host the workshop that tackles the formulation of a complex framework that will be in alignment with regulatory, financial, clinical and cultural restrictions, impeding the acceptance and growth of this system.

The United Kingdom sees this as the way of the future for medical care, especially in areas where it is difficult to see the physician personally. Toward that end, the government is allocating funds and regions to integrate social and healthcare.  The announcement ensues the EU-funded ‘Advancing Care Co-ordination and Telehealth Deployment Programme’ (ACT) which launched in February.  This program attempts to pinpoint  “best in class’ Telehealth processes, structures and ways of working within the European Union”.

Additionally, Mr. Westerteicher grapples with the following posed questions:

  1.   “Which countries, regions or communities appear to have adopted Telehealth more readily than others?
  2. • Why is Telehealth being adopted more rapidly in these communities or regions and not in others and what can we learn from these Telehealth “pioneer” health systems?
  3. • With UK government support for Telehealth initiatives such as 3 million buy ventolin salbutamol inhaler lives what more needs to be done to integrate Telehealth into national healthcare delivery systems?

Health Apps

The question that I present is simply, where does the implementation of health apps fit into his equation?

Health apps are exploding on the scene in the U.S. over the last 2 years with more than 1000 apps to choose from, from pedometers in conjunction with Nike sneakers, to blood sugar monitoring to depression or pain pattern schemes.

As more people become eager to pursue their health but don’t have time for gyms or consultations, the apps seem to take on renewed vigor. However, they are still largely employed by the Young Urban Preppy (Yuppy) for whom technology is part of the lifestyle.

Companies who see ad promotion and can work in conjunction with the apps are more apt to sponsor programs and this may be the way to fund all the further tele health programs that you would like to see move forward.

After the conference takes place, I will be happy to discuss this further with you and their findings.

In the meantime, you can follow along with what specialists from all over Europe have to say by going to:

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=2308956&type=member&item=253445916&commentID=147160535&report%2Esuccess=8ULbKyXO6NDvmoK7o030UNOYGZKrvdhBhypZ_w8EpQrrQI-BBjkmxwkEOwBjLE28YyDIxcyEO7_TA_giuRN#commentID_147160535

or contacting Chris at: Christoph Westerteicher
Business Director EU Telehealth, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions

Please enter your name and email in the opt-in box at the top left of your screen so that you don’t miss any further developments.