Initial Project Information: EHTO


	Updated: Jun 3, 97
EHTO

European health telematics observatory

[ Coordinator(s) ] [ Participants ] [ Project Objectives, ... ] [ Other Characteristics ]

Project Nr:	HC 1101	Group: VII	Project Duration: 36 months
Key words:	Information/Knowledge Base ; Demonstration Site ; Dissemination
Category:	European Health Telematics Observatory
Summary:	EHTO will set up a support service for the deployment of health telematics applications and standards in Europe. The objective is to help health decision makers make informed and co-ordinated, choices amongst available services and conversely to help industry reach the relevant leading edge user groups for better dissemination of their products. It will constitute a European centre for tailoring information on each telematics application to the diverse needs of the health sector.
Mission:	EHTO aims to boost efficient integration of telematics in European health systems by heightening general awareness of EU projects in this area. The initiative will help users and managers to clarify their requirements for health telematics, and support supply of the right products by industry, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Results of projects will be classified on a user-friendly information base, while a modern demonstration site with satellite sites will promote products developed by users and SMEs. The projects will be further publicised via meetings, publications and multimedia activity.
URL:	www.ehto.be

Coordinator(s)

Mrs. Maria Laires

CENTIS

rue des Palais, 34
B-1030 Bruxelles
Belgium tel: 32 2 229 16 00
fax: 32 2 218 76 33
secretariat@ehto.be

url:

Participants:

Name of Institution	City+Postal Code	Country
RAMIT	Ghent 9000	Belgium
CNEH	75014 Paris	France
IHC	Dublin 8	Ireland
ISCARLOS III	28029 Madrid	Spain
BIOTRAST	54622 Thessaloniki	Greece
VTT	33101 Tampere	Finland

Project Objectives, Summary Description and Anticipated Results

The main objective of EHTO is to collect, analyse and make available in a user-friendly form information on developments in the field of health telematics.

It is intended to contribute to the deployment of health telematics applications and standards in Europe. It seeks to help : user groups to define their requirements; decisionmakers in their choice of telematics solutions; and industry to deliver more appropriate products.

This European centre aims to capture all the know-how and experience of the sector and to classify it into categories corresponding to the needs of the different sector actors. Key aspects of the Observatory's activities are :

creation of an Information/Knowledge Base to disseminate and promote project results and make available other up-to-date health telematics information, using a variety of technological approaches. This will include strategic analysis of health telematics products and prototypes according to specific criteria, including their impact on certain more transversal issues : quality of health care delivery, health care organisation, economic and social aspects, legal and ethical issues and the competitiveness of European industry.

development of a market and innovation watch activity designed to monitor health telematics developments world-wide.

establishment of a demo site where the prototypes and products developed within the health telematics domain. may be examined, along with factual and evaluative information in a readily accessible and user-friendly form

a regular journal with snapshots of the evolving health telematics environment

creation of a group of satellite sites

Other Characteristics of the Project:

Users involved
Since EHTO is designed for users, all projects were approached for contributions to the Web site, the Journal and the Demo site. In addition it is intended to constitute three specific groups (health policy makers, end-users, industry) to guide EHTO activities.

Technologies and/or approach used
WWW and Internet technologies for communication and dissemination of information to the users and partners. ISDN, VSAT and ATM (planned first quarter 97) for the infrastructure of the demo site, in combination with computing and telematics equipment (routers) and platforms (PCs, Workstations).

Expected benefits for the citizen
The benefits to citizens arising from EHTO will be indirect. The project seeks to promote European industry with predictable spin-offs for the citizen. More specifically EHTO aims to help health policy makers and professionals in their choice of appropriate technological solutions, thus contributing to more efficient and effective health care.

Expected benefits for the users of the application
EHTO’s role is to collect, analyse and make available in a user-friendly form information on developments in the health telematics field. It aims to help user groups to define their requirements; decisionmakers in their choice of telematics solutions; and industry to deliver more appropriate products.

Expected benefits for the European Industries
EHTO aims to provide a service to industry including small and medium enterprises and telecom operators by means of its Information/Knowledge Base and its Demo Site, through the dissemination of information, the creation of an interactive health telematics discussion forum and by providing an overview of the health telematics market.

Contribution to EU-policies
EHTO seeks to meet the needs expressed by the Delors White Book, the Bangemann Report and recent G7 meetings. These have highlighted the need for accurate, up-to-date data in a digestible form on the impact of the information society, its infra-structure, its regulatory framework and its social and economic consequences.



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