Which are the main objectives of the Digital Health Institute in Scotland you are leading?
The Digital Health Institute has been established to generate high value health and social care solutions to benefit of the people of Scotland and beyond. However, that is is only one key deliverable for the Institute. As importantly it will co-create sustainable economic growth through new products, services and systems developed together with businesses, academics, healthcare specialists and citizens, all working together in partnership.
For too long we have simply viewed public sector spending as a necessary cost. If you regard that spend as an investment you can focus a proportion of that spend in a way that not only addresses societal and service challenges but also supports innovation and create economic advantage for your region or country. Economic growth, we know improves wellbeing in our society, this of course is of fundamental in contributing to the overall "health" of our society.
Scotland is one of the leading regions on telemedicine. Could you tell us which are the factors to be successful implementing telemedicine?
Fundamental to our success has been the clear alignment of views from politicians, through government down to delivery organizations and to our citizens. We have had consistency of policy over many years which gives you a much more stable and fertile environment to deliver service change that is dependant on cultural shift. We had not only a clear nation strategy but 2 years ago moved to a national delivery plan for telehealth and telecare which set a number of ambitious but clear targets. We invested funding to establish the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare to support all key players in the adoption of these solutions. This included the active involvement and education of patients, service users and carers. NHS 24 is our national provider of telehealth and telecare services. Having a single national organization which can not only support others to adopt new ways of working, but to actively support others in all aspects of the deployment of services from the people issues through the technology solutions themselves is also very important.
From your point of view, what is your opinion on the mHealth emerging initiatives and the potential deployment at European level?
It is clear that people across Europe are actively favouring technologies that are mobile and flexible. We in health and care need to understand that environment much better. This will allow us to determine how we can use these opportunities to their maximum advantage. Just because you can deploy a solution on a mobile platform does not always mean that it will be the best way to solve an issue. However, it is the most powerful way of allowing an individual to manage health and care issues in a way that does not disrupt their day to day life. Can allow them to remain fully productive, connected to their community and independent while addressing and effectively managing health and care issues in the same way as they manage all other aspects of their day to day lives.
You have an amazing experience as a doctor and as director of NHS 24, what kind of added value could mHealth solutions bring to doctors and nurses?
I believe it can be both empowering and liberating. Having an instantly accessible access to information can support safe and effective decision making. It can allow access to a second opinion in real time, even for isolated clinicians and help reduce stress and anxiety, which can in some cases lead to unnecessary hospitalization of patients on one level and to clinicians leaving certain jobs on the other.
As President of EHTEL, what do you think about the Digital Agenda from the EC , and specially the way health is included?
The recognition that some of the major societal challenges being faced across Europe can be countered in part by the appropriate use of digital technologies is very important. However the task of moving from small scale successful projects to at scale service change and whole system adoption of technology supported healthcare should not be underestimated. With the recognition that the area of digital health is a key area for economic growth over the coming years around the world is important for Europe. I welcome the investment that the EC is making in better understanding where these types of technological solutions can add greatest benefit while at the same time continuing to push the envelope to look at the next generation of solutions.
Share on
The Digital Health Institute has been established to generate high value health and social care solutions to benefit of the people of Scotland and beyond.
Fundamental to our success has been the clear alignment of views from politicians, through government down to delivery organizations and to our citizens.
