Redesigning healthcare: The 2.4 billion euro question?

Although it has been possible to transfer electrocardiograms via a phone line for more than 100 years, use of internet-based patient monitoring and communication systems in daily care is uncommon. Despite the introduction of numerous health-monitoring devices, and despite most patients having internet access, the implementation of individualised healthcare services is still limited. On the other hand, hospitals have invested heavily in massive information systems offering limited value for money and connectivity. However, the consumer market for personal healthcare devices is developing rapidly and with the current healthcare-related investments by tech companies it can be expected that the way healthcare is provided will change dramatically. Although a variety of initiatives under the banner of ‘e-Health’ are deployed, most are characterised by either industry-driven developments without proven clinical effectiveness or individual initiatives lacking the embedding within the traditional organisations. However, the introduction of numerous smart devices and internet-based technologies facilitates the fundamental redesign of healthcare based on the principle of achieving the best possible care for the individual patient at the lowest possible cost.