Unlocking Trust in the Future of EU Healthcare: A Collaborative Vision for 2030
The European Union's healthcare system is in desperate need of reform. WHY is this happening, and how can we make it work? The Brick and Mortar healthcare delivery model demonstrated its limitations during COVID19 across the globe, and the EU was taken aback when they learned about the triage model and priority model that were urgently implemented to meet the high demand for care during that period. Can we continue to put our faith in the traditional model? What is required for trust in healthcare to regain its pre-COVID 19 level? In general, technology, readiness, and preventative and primary care are expected to have a significant impact on the future of healthcare. The trust that the various participants in the complex ecology of EU healthcare have in it will be the most important factor of all. In this essay, we'll look at Why Trust, Who Should Address What and Implications in Addressing Trust in the EU healthcare landscape.
Why the EU Healthcare needs a transformation and reform
The overall health of the European Union (EU) population is generally good, with life expectancy at birth in EU countries averaging 81.4 years for men and 84.5 years for women. However, there are significant health disparities within the EU, with some countries having higher rates of certain health problems than others. The leading cause of death in the EU is cardiovascular disease, followed by cancer and respiratory diseases. Other factors that contribute to health disparities include income, education, and social status. People with lower incomes and education levels, for example, have poorer health outcomes and live shorter lives than those with higher incomes and education levels. A variety of factors, such as technological advancements, demographic shifts, and political and economic developments, continue to have an impact on the healthcare scene. However, with a greater emphasis on telemedicine and digital health, technology is likely to continue to play a significant role in European healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the importance of healthcare system readiness and resilience, and it is likely that there will be a greater emphasis on ensuring that healthcare systems are prepared to handle upcoming challenges successfully. An #aging population, which may increase demand for long-term care and geriatric services, as well as a greater emphasis on preventive and primary care to manage chronic diseases, are other factors that may influence healthcare in the EU by 2030. Since the advent of modern medicine at the end of the 17th century, the industry has come a long way. There were numerous improvements, reforms, reinventions, and technological advancements following World War II. Nonetheless, much work remains to be done in order to close some gaps. Our research has led us to believe that this is due to a lack of trust rather than a lack of healthcare resources. A number of factors may contribute to the general lack of trust in the healthcare sector, including concerns about service quality, communication and transparency issues, and patient engagement issues. The European Union (EU) as a whole experiences a lack of trust in healthcare for a variety of reasons that vary from country to country and from healthcare setting to healthcare setting. However, according to some of our team's research, the following are some typical explanations for why consumers have little faith in EU healthcare:
Patients' worries about the standard of care they receive can make them feel less confident in the medical system.
The effectiveness of treatments and medications, as well as worries about the skills and personalities of healthcare providers.
The lack of trust in the medical industry may be due to problems with transparency and communication.
Patients' incapacity to learn about their treatments and the healthcare system's overall lack of transparency may both raise concerns.
Difficulties with patient involvement, such as a lack of chances for patients to take part in decisions concerning their care.
Misinformation: Inaccurate information or inaccurate sources of healthcare information can lead to poor health outcomes or unnecessary therapies.
Trust as a critical pillar for better health’s outcome post reform
Collaboration and communication between patients and healthcare professionals increase when there is mutual trust. This promotes honest and open dialogue, leading to more precise diagnoses and treatment plans. Trust can promote collaboration between different healthcare experts, including primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals, which will lead to better-coordinated and more efficient care. Patients who follow treatment recommendations and take prescribed medications as prescribed by healthcare providers can experience better patient outcomes. When people have faith in their healthcare providers, they may be more likely to seek treatment, which may lead to earlier identification and treatment of health issues.
Trust can improve patients' satisfaction with healthcare services by making them feel more at ease and confidence in the care they are receiving. As a result, there may be a decrease in churn costs and an increase in patient loyalty. When patients have faith in their healthcare providers, they are more likely to take advice and take recommended medications, which can improve treatment compliance. Generally speaking, building trust between healthcare providers and patients is believed to be a crucial component of effective healthcare delivery.
There are numerous important factors that influence trust in the healthcare industry and can support effective transformation:
Quality of care: When patients receive high-quality care that satisfies their requirements and allays their anxieties, trust is more likely to be created and kept. Not only does this encompass the clinical care given, but it also covers the entire patient experience, such as communication, planning, and access to care.
Transparency: When patients have access to accessible and accurate information about the healthcare system and their care, trust is more likely to be developed and sustained. This includes details on expenses, rules, and practices in addition to the justification for the course of treatment.
Communication: When there is open and honest communication between healthcare practitioners and patients, trust is more likely to be developed and maintained. This entails paying close attention to the patient's problems and addressing them, as well as giving them clear and straightforward explanations of the treatment alternatives and expected outcomes.
Engagement of the patient: When patients actively participate in their own care and decision-making, trust is more likely to be developed and maintained. This entails encouraging patients to actively participate in their health, to ask questions, and to look for further information as needed.
The role of technology to enforce Trust in Healthcare
We are all aware that in the age of the fourth industrial revolution, technology may and will play a part in enhancing confidence in healthcare across the European Union (EU) in a number of ways, including:
Improved communication: Technology, such as telehealth and electronic health records, can facilitate improved communication between healthcare providers and patients, which can help to build trust. For example, telehealth can enable patients to have virtual consultations with their healthcare providers, which can be more convenient and allow for more frequent communication.
Increased transparency: Technology, such as electronic health records, can also increase transparency within the healthcare system by making information about healthcare services and costs more readily available to patients. This can help to build trust by providing patients with a better understanding of the care they are receiving and the costs associated with it.
Enhanced patient engagement: Technology can also enhance patient engagement by enabling patients to access information and resources online, such as educational materials, health tracking apps, and patient communities. This can help to build trust by empowering patients to take an active role in their own health and fostering a sense of shared responsibility between healthcare providers and patients.
Key healthcare stakeholders to run the trust component in the EU healthcare
They say it is about Process, Systems and People during the operationalisation of any transformation. Having tackled how trust can be enforced around the EU healthcare process and systems; It is important for all stakeholders (people) in the healthcare system to work together to foster trust and improve the quality of care for patients. There are several critical stakeholders who can help to increase trust in healthcare in the European Union (EU):
Patients: Patients are at the center of the healthcare system, and their trust in the care they receive is crucial. Patients can increase trust by asking questions, seeking out reliable sources of information, and advocating for their own health.
Healthcare providers: Healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff, play a key role in building trust with patients. They can do this by being transparent, communicative, and respectful, and by taking the time to listen to and address patient concerns.
Government and regulatory bodies: Governments and regulatory bodies, such as national health agencies and professional medical organizations, can help to increase trust in healthcare by setting standards for care and ensuring that healthcare providers meet these standards. They can also promote transparency and accountability within the healthcare system.
Health insurance companies: Health insurance companies can increase trust in healthcare by being transparent about their policies, coverage, and costs, and by working to ensure that patients have access to the care they need.
Healthcare organizations: Healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, can increase trust by promoting open and honest communication, providing high-quality care, and being transparent about their policies and procedures.
Our organization strongly believes that unlocking Trust for Healthcare must be a European initiative within the transformation roadmap of healthcare by 2030. Through evidence-based innovation/digitalisation/technology, we (at UIZ.CARE) create an accessible, sustainable, and patient-centered system. Join us in our mission to make healthcare better for everyone in the EU.
Author: Patricia Monthe
