© The consequences and challenges of professional mobility in Europe eHealth 05 May 24 th 2005, Tromsø Philip C. Berman European Health Management Association

© Introduction l What’s happening? l What are the consequences? l What are the challenges? l The potential for eHealth

© What’s happening? l EU has encouraged professional mobility –Mutual recognition of professionals –Single European Market –High Level Process of Reflection –Draft Services Directive l European Court of Justice decisions on patient mobility l Shortages of specific professionals – e.g. anaesthetists, paediatric intensive care nurses

© What are the consequences? l Member States recruiting from other countries l Traditional sources of recruitment (former colonies) may dry up. l USA sees Europe as source to meet its shortfall of 850,000 nurses l Globalisation of health l Price competition – detrimental impact on lower income Member States

© What are the challenges? l Understand the drivers of migration l Understand where shortages and oversupply exist, and develop projections of future demand l Analyse current national, European and international policies l Develop European policies l BUT…….these are long term developments, not immediate solutions l eHealth may have a significant role………………

© A role for eHealth (1) l Remote rural populations: –Economic argument –Professionals unwilling to locate to rural areas l Using telemedicine……

© Review of stereoscopic digital images – University of Alberta Teleophalmology, Reading Centre Screening for diabetic eye disease in remote northern regions of Alberta, Canada

© A role for eHealth (2) l Overcoming shortages by collaboration between countries, using telemedicine l Shortage of radiologists in Sweden, but surplus in Spain l Swedish MRI scans analysed in Barcelona l Reduced pressure on radiologists in Solleteå hospital l Reduced patient waiting lists

© A role for eHealth (3) l Creation of inter-country consortia for critical mass l Work with policy-makers to identify solutions for emerging professional mobility issues l Work with “lower-income” EU member states to help them to capitalise on their lower cost professional expertise

© Conclusions Adapted from “eHealth – Building on Strength to Provide Better Healthcare Anytime Anywhere.” Edited by Petra Wilson

© The consequences and challenges of professional mobility in Europe eHealth 05 May 24 th 2005, Tromsø Philip C. Berman European Health Management Association