Connecting the Electronic Medical Records in the European Union – Where Do We Stand and Where Does It Go?

Abstract

The editorial discusses the integration of eHealth systems in the European Union (EU) through the eHealth Digital Service Infrastructure (eHDSI) project. The EU's unique approach to integration involves overcoming language and system differences among its 27 member states. The European Directive 2011/24/EU emphasizes patients' rights in cross-border healthcare, pushing for interoperability in national eHealth systems. The eHDSI project aims to facilitate emergency cross-border healthcare. It involves National Contact Points for eHealth (NCPeH) in each country, connecting through standardized interfaces. The project covers Patient Summary (PS) exchange, electronic prescription (eP), dispensation (eD), and Original Clinical Documents (OrCD) exchange. Despite its progress, the eHDSI faces challenges, including language diversity and differences in national healthcare systems. Key performance indicators (KPIs) reveal operational details, with 11 NCPeHs established by 2023. While eP/eD services are more developed, PS exchange and OrCD usage remain limited. Although eHDSI seems to be a viable project, its real-world usage is currently low. This can be attributed to technical complexities and incomplete implementation. Broader use should be pursued instead of expanding the system's capabilities. The complexity of the eHDSI and its implementation could pose additional challenges, and widespread use may not be achieved before 2030.