Digital healthcare communication may assist in preventing
a negative
development spiral in many outlying, rural areas.
There is a distinct trend throughout the Baltic Sea region for growth
and progress to be concentrated in urban areas with rapid development,
to the detriment of rural areas. Highly qualified human resources move
to growth areas, where jobs and challenges often are to be found.
Because of this, the rural and outlying areas often experience a
decline in population and falling employment. The same trend is found in all sectors that are dependent on high
technology and knowledge including the health sector. Here development
is focused not only on highly qualified specialists but also with the
use of the latest technology. This entails a risk of healthcare
provision being uneven, with the most advanced and specialised
facilities being in the growth areas. However, high technology also offers many opportunities for the
decentralisation of knowledge and expertise. Advanced healthcare
communication can bring the latest knowledge and the most advanced
aids within reach, regardless of geographical distance. The means by
which this can be accomplished is eHealth. eHealth gives outlying
areas entirely new opportunities to boost quality development in their
healthcare facilities - for the benefit of citizens and employees in
the health service. In this way, eHealth helps outlying areas to
attract more growth and increase their population. This is the core of the Baltic eHealth project, which focuses on
developing practical and functional eHealth solutions across the
countries in the Baltic Sea Region. This project will enable the
Baltic Sea Region to lead the world in the digital exchange of
healthcare services.
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