The European perspective of E-health and a framework for its economic evaluation

E-health is a priority of the European i2010 initiative, which aims to provide safe and interoperable information systems for patients and health professionals throughout Europe. Moreover, the use of electronic storing and transmission of data to patients is increasing while through the deployment of e-health applications, health care is improved in terms of waiting time for patients. The concentration results from the cumulative incidence of chronic-degenerative pathologies, the greater utilization of biomedical technologies, and the increased health services demand. Finally, the interest towards electromechanical systems means the realization of tools of small dimensions, which have tremendous advantages thanks to their invasivity and greater diagnostic-therapeutic effectiveness. Therefore, an economic analysis has to take into consideration the use of biomedical technology, the analysis of alternatives, the selection of the economic evaluation technique, and the identification and quantification of the costs and benefits.