“De största innovationerna inom e-hälsa skapas alltid bland små- och medelstora företag”

-Eric Maurincomme, ordförande, COCIR Healthcare IT-kommittén och Vice President och Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer på AGFA Healthcare.

BARCELONA (March, 18th 2010) – Eric Maurincomme, speaking in his role as Chairman of COCIR Healthcare IT Committee (www.cocir.org), the voice of the European Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry, has stated during his participation at eHealth week in Barcelona that, in this industry, true innovation always comes from small and medium enterprises, as a result of researchers’ work in tackling a specific problem posed to their organization. The challenge for policy makers and industry leaders is to ensure that these SME innovations are brought to a higher level. “This is the reason why interoperability and industry standards are so important in eHealth”, according to Mr. Maurincomme. The topic of eHealth’s impact on the economy was addressed today at the World of Health IT (WoHIT) in a session moderated by Flora Giorgio, Project and Policy Officer, DG INFSO, European Commission. She emphasized that this is a lead sector with a high potential for growth in Europe. She also pointed out that the value of eHealth –and healthcare in general- has to be approached from a broader perspective than that of costs and revenue. Panelists Lorenzo Valeri (Rand Europe), Greta Nasi (Boccono University, Milano), and Eric Maurincomme all agreed on the fact, that the benefits of eHealth go beyond financial figures and have to be assessed in terms of efficiency, safety and better patient care. At the end, this has a positive economic impact, as healthier societies are more productive. According to a study commissioned by the EU whose results will be made public in April 2010, eHealth market in Europe can be currently quantified in 15 billion euro. On the changes that are brought with the implementation of eHalth solutions, Eric Maurincomme has commented that while some jobs become redundant, there are new opportunities for skilled professionals. “Project managers, with a healthcare and IT background, are needed in all hospitals to run their eHealth systems”.

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