Electronically Enhanced Healthcare Fosters Improved Healthcare Delivery in EMEA Countries

Investments from local operators fuelling growth in the private hospitals sector

08-Mar-2012 - United Kingdom

Various initiatives by governments of European countries are driving the adoption of IT systems in the healthcare sector. Increasing awareness about healthcare IT across the Middle East and other regions will fuel greater adoption. In Germany, the introduction of health smart cards for every citizen has had an impact on the use of electronic patient records. There are signs of an increase in the need of hospitals to manage patient-related information and administrative tasks associated with billing and coordination with health insurance sickness funds. Such initiatives are expected to have a positive effect on the use of Internet and healthcare IT in the German healthcare sector.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Social and Economic Benefits of Healthcare IT in EMEA Countries, finds that in France, the adoption rate of smaller systems such as patient administration systems (PAS), is about 90.0 per cent. Electronic medical records (EMR) systems have several modules, and not many hospitals have complete EMR solution. The growth potential is mostly witnessed in the smaller hospital segment, as 50.0 per cent of these hospitals have some EMR in place. The countries covered in this research service are Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia and South Africa.

“The increasing IT Investment among the private sector steps-up the potential funds for private healthcare in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) countries for healthcare IT systems,” says Frost & Sullivan Program Manager E.Sujith. “The private hospitals sector in EMEA is growing due to investments from the local operators.”

Many customers in Russia and South Africa are opting for services offered by the private sector. Private operators invest more in IT adoption than public companies, thereby increasing the potential of IT adoption in the healthcare sector in countries such as South Africa, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

However, low acceptance level for healthcare IT solutions among healthcare providers in EMEA countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia and South Africa hampers the implementation and utilisation rates of systems.

“While the reluctance of the healthcare providers’ restrains the market growth, the lower acceptance levels of the healthcare professionals, challenges both the penetration rates and the utilisation rates of the systems,” explains Sujith.

Healthcare IT system vendors should work closely with healthcare providers to demonstrate the benefits and outcomes of IT deployment. They should also attempt to consolidate their solutions to provide greater value for the money invested by healthcare sector.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/136858/electronically-enhanced-healthcare-fosters-improved-healthcare-delivery-in-emea-countries.html