Patient Satisfaction as Part of Quality Assurance in E-Health

Challenges And Expectations Facing A Health Sector

Throughout the world, health sectors are faced with numerous challenges and expectations that affect their healthcare systems. The following are some of the common challenges (Commission of the European Communities, 2004, p. 5):

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  The increasing demand for health and social services, due to an ageing population, higher income and educational levels,

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  The rise in expectations of citizens who want the best care available and reduced inequalities in access to good healthcare,

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  The increasing mobility of patients and health professionals within a better functioning internal market,

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  The need to reduce the 'disease burden', and to respond to emerging disease risks,

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  The difficulties public authorities encounter in matching investment in technology with investment in the complex organizational changes needed to exploit its potential,

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  The need to limit occupational accidents and diseases, to reinforce wellbeing at work and to address new forms of work-related diseases,

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  The management of massive amounts of health information, which must be accessible, securely stored, available in a timely manner when needed and processed efficiently for administrative and clinical purposes,

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  The need to provide the best possible healthcare under limited budgetary conditions.