Brussels, 14/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - A strict private data framework is essential for promoting mobile healthcare (“mHealth”) development in Europe. This is the lesson learnt by the European Commission, following a public consultation. In 2015, the Commission will hold discussions with all the different stakeholders about what action could be taken to ensure that mobile healthcare is an integral part of the digital single market. Mobile healthcare will also be part of “eHealth Week” in Riga in May this year.
Respect for private life and data protection, patient security, a clear legal framework and better guarantees on cost effectiveness are required if mobile healthcare is to flourish in Europe, according to participants at the public consultation that came to a close in July 2014 (see EUROPE 11057). The Commission sought to identify ways of taking action to ensure the development of mobile healthcare in the European Union. The Commission received 211 separate responses, which demonstrate that: 1) 97 respondents believe that strong privacy and security tools are needed to build users' trust. They also call for enhancing private data protection and rules applicable to mobile health devices; 2) Nearly half of the respondents ask for more patient safety and transparency of information, by means of certification schemes or quality labelling of lifestyle and wellbeing apps. Nevertheless, some warn against the risks of over-regulation; 3) Web entrepreneurs consider it difficult to access the market due to the lack of a clear regulatory framework, interoperability and common quality criteria; 4) a third of respondents think performance and safety requirements and liability rules applicable to lifestyle and wellbeing apps should be clarified; 5) A fifth of respondents believe more evidence is needed on the cost-effectiveness of mHealth.
Medical practices and public health care are covered by mHealth and are based on mobile devices such as smartphones, iPads and other cordless devices, as well as lifestyle and well-being apps that are connected to medical devices or sensors. According to Commission estimates, using mobile devices could help healthcare professionals reduce the time they spend accessing information and analysing it by 30%. Mobile healthcare use is, however, still limited in the EU. (IL)