Handbook of Key Participants in the European Healthcare IT Industry

Abstract

Vendors Need to Convince Healthcare Authorities of the Benefits of Healthcare Information Technology

The outdated and inadequate healthcare facilities in many European countries are drawing much-needed attention towards their upgrade. However, healthcare budgets have traditionally overlooked healthcare information technology (IT) and channelled resources towards acquisition of diagnostic equipment and infrastructural improvements. While healthcare IT can help streamline workflow and enable quick and easy access to information for better patient care, the challenge for vendors lies in convincing healthcare authorities of the pressing need to keep pace with the latest healthcare technology developments.

This Frost & Sullivan research service is a handbook of key participants in the European healthcare IT industry. It lists the main competitors in the healthcare IT industry and gives insights into the various products offered by them. It further identifies potential end-user segments wherein vendors can expand their business and clientele.

Development of Clinical Application Solutions Draws Increased Attention

As government initiatives lead to higher spending on healthcare IT, there is a marked shift in the focus of healthcare IT vendors. While vendors focused earlier on business-related processes such as billing, finance material resource management, supply chain solutions and human resource management systems, there has been an impetus towards the development of advanced clinical applications for patient care. Some prominent clinical application systems developed include radiology information system (RIS), laboratory information system (LIS), picture archiving and communication system (PACS), electronic medical record (EMR), computerised physician order entry (CPOE), wireless systems and surgical management systems.

In addition, other areas witnessing significant progress include business efficiency solutions, providing business analytic tools to monitor performance online and the development of solutions to ensure the safe transmission of insurance-related information in claim processes. "While customers are replacing the legacy systems, there is a major initiative to integrate new modules with existing systems," notes the analyst of this research service. "Hence, companies with proven integrated information technology solutions for the healthcare market are expected to do well in the European markets."

European Commission Mandate On E-health Expected to Drive Growth

With global technology majors, modality vendors and local systems developers all vying for a presence, the European healthcare IT market is intensely competitive. The major projects with the potential for Europe to lead the way in the global healthcare information systems arena are the electronic medical record programmes in England as well as the e-health initiative at the European level.

"While the clinical systems uptake across Europe is the primary reason for the growth in the healthcare IT industry, administrative systems cannot be ignored," notes the analyst. "The administrative segment is also seeing a lot of activity as provider organisations strive to upgrade legacy systems that were installed earlier."