Smartcare – nurses recognised as integrated care coordinators
Meeting in Trieste for the final Smartcare Conference of this 3-year EU project, aimed at joining up ICT and service processes for quality integrated care in Europe.
Smartcare partners were presented the project outcomes, namely:
- the results of the evaluation of the SmartCare services, piloted in nine European regions; the lessons learned by the people developing,
- implementing and operating the frontline; the socio-economic and business aspects of up-scaling
- integrated care; and the project guidelines for the implementation of integrated e-care services.
- EFN has contributed to these deliverables by making sure the chronic care model and case management are taken up in the users recommendation.
One major challenge facing the delivery of health and social care in Europe is the increased number of people living with chronic conditions – resulting from global population ageing.
EU citizens now grow older and live longer with health conditions requiring on-going access and support for health and social services. At EU level, the introduction of eHealth services is facilitating access to healthcare, whatever the geographical location.
Through eHealth it is possible to focus on person-centred care, enhanced patient empowerment to help ensure continuity of care across primary and secondary health and social care sectors. In this process, EU guidelines are a first step forward. These guidelines, building on existing good practices across the European regions.
Prevention,
Clinical Practice,
Advanced Roles,
Integrated Care, and
ePrescribing,
and make clear that nurses and social workers, with the right knowledge and skills,can add considerable value and help form an important link between technological innovation, health promotion and disease prevention (ref.: EFN EU project ENS4Care).
Also, integrated care as a way to ensuring optimal health and social outcomes being achieved for all people living in the EU.
For more information contact:
Dr Paul De Raeve,
Secy General of the European Federation of Nurses Associations
Email: efn@efn.be –
Tel: +32 2 512 74 19 –
Web: www.efnweb.eu