to be added to the dimensions mentioned above,
to adopt a people-centred approach also based on
their own perspectives and needs as stated in the
World Health Organization strategy.
The concept of integrated care is not limited
to health services. The rising burden of chronic
diseases and of the number of people with
complex care needs requires delivery systems
that bring together a range of professionals and
skills from both the cure (healthcare) and care
(long-term and social care) sectors. The concept
of integrated care seems particularly important
for service provision to the elderly, as elderly
patients are often chronically ill and subject to
co-morbidities. Thus, patients suffering from
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other dementias
could be included in these targets.
In January 2017, HOPE adopted a position
paper on integrated care, providing not only
an overview of the current situation in Europe
but also highlighting the challenges faced
by European health systems as well as their
differences. In Europe, the situation varies
considerably across countries not only because
of the demographic differences but also because
of health and social systems rooted in different
histories and cultures. European health systems
are moving away (but not at the same pace) from
the ‘treat and cure of acute conditions’ culture
to face the challenges posed by the transition to
an ageing demographic. Strategies that deal with
organisational, financial, delivery and eHealth
technology aspects have been adopted at the
country or regional level.
This is the context in which the ICT4Life
project intends to provide its contribution, and
will be discussed below.
European health
systems are
moving away
from the ‘treat
and cure of
acute conditions’
culture to face
the challenges
of an ageing
demographic
20
HHE 2018 | hospitalhealthcare.com
General description
ICT4Life is a three-year project funded under
Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme
for Research and Innovation, with the ambition
of providing new services for integrated care
employing user-friendly ICT tools, thereby
ultimately increasing patients’ quality of life and
autonomy at home. To reach this goal, ICT4Life
is conducting breakthrough research and radical
innovation and will implement the ICT4Life
platform. Such a platform will deliver a series
of innovative services to patients affected by
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other dementias
and also to health professionals and formal and
informal care-givers. All solutions are developed
following a user-centred methodology and tested
in real-life scenarios.
This initiative brings together nine partners
representing academia, industry and end-user
groups, all committed to improving patients’
lives and advancing Europe’s leadership role
in personalised services for integrated care.
The partners of this well-balanced and
multidisciplinary consortium are:
• Artica Telemedicina (Spain), which leads
the project;
• Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain);
• Madrid Parkinson’s Association (Spain);
• Netis Informatics Ltd (Hungary);
• E-seniors (France);
• CERTH – Centre for Research and Technology
Hellas (Greece);