This conference provided a high-level strategic overview of past, current and likely future developments in content, connectivity and commerce. Presentations included explanations of what has happened in the US, what is happening in Europe, where the business opportunities in Europe lie and how eHealth in Europe may develop. Please find 2 Executive Summaries from papers presented at IBC Life Sciences, eHealth Europe Conference. Please click on one of the below options to view the Executive Summary written from that presentation. eHealth - the consumer perspective Insurance Industry: The internet: A new step in health insurance For further information and details of the comprehensive documentation available from this event, please visit: www.ehealth-europe.com/kk102 Details of eHealth-europe 2002 will be available soon, please visit: www.ehealth-europe.com 1. eHealth - the consumer perspective [top] Being a consumer tends to be seen as something positive, involving choice, but being a health care consumer involves very little choice. Nobody chooses to be ill and few can afford to choose their treatment. Historically, the consumer - the patient _ has been deliberately kept at a distance from the decisions about their diagnosis and treatment. However, the current trend towards consumer power has spread into the world of health care and patients are expecting to be given the same rights as they have in other areas of their lives. British Epilepsy Association (BEA) was set up in 1950 by patients, for patients as a response to the often dreadful way that people with epilepsy were treated by both the health service and society in general. As with many other chronic conditions, people with epilepsy have worked together through a representative organisation to become their own experts, and often know more than their doctors. Having become wary of being 'nannied' by the medical establishment, the web is enabling patients to share the most unconventional ideas _ BEA has to establish a responsible balance between the two extremes. BEA's website now attracts over 100,000 hits a week, some 60% from outside the UK. It has had a profound effect on our organisation and on the services we offer. Things that would have been impossible for us using traditional methods and limited resources have suddenly opened up for us. With chat rooms, discussion forums, online health profiles and no national boundaries, we are seeing real change take place. This is just the beginning of patient empowerment and organisations like BEA believe that we have a vital role to play as the world of health care changes with the potential introduction of issues like direct to consumer marketing. This will ensure that the health care consumer has a voice and a chance to be an equal partner in their own health. Sue Mitchell Communications Manager British Epilepsy Association 2. Insurance Industry: The internet: A new step in health insurance [top] Thanks to its innovations, AXA sickness insurance is gradually becoming health insurance. With this in view, our work requires us to follow three lines of action: Direct contact with the assured, potential patients, through a health call centre. The Year 2000 will also see the creation of a web call centre with a web chat function, In-depth changes to sickness insurance cover, transforming it into health insurance and simultaneously integrating prevention, a new schedule for some medical diagnosis and treatment functions, the development of a new concept in additional '1st franc' insurance in respect of techniques and treatments which are not covered by social security or which fall outside the service benefits package. This comprehensive health offer available to our assured, potential patients, is more customised and incorporates a range of new services into the insurance package Direct contact with the health professionals through the call centre. This enables us to provide them with medical-social assistance in administrative matters, information on the universal health insurance cover (CMU) and on technological innovations in the field of health. It also allows us to set up a memorandum of understanding with healthcare specialists, after agreement is reached with the regulating bodies. By setting up an Internet communications network, we expect to attract partners in healthcare (dental surgeons, radiologists, biologists, opticians). Our presence on the net will allow us to become more interactive with our assured, whether in matters of health information or in on-line health insurance product subscription. This global communication between the assured/healthcare specialist/management centre will enable us to enhance our response to the requirements of our health insurance clients by providing them with speedy and efficient subscription and management, based on customised products. Dr. Marcel Garnier Director Health Innovation Division