The field of telecare is rapidly emerging. It is therefore difficult to pinpoint specific telecare devices
or services which may be in wide use across Europe in the next 10 to 15 years. Not only technological
advances and inventions have to be taken into account but also developments in society,
politics and the health care system.
Telecare technology is expected to grow in Europe and become a part of healthcare delivery.
Reasons are a growing population in retirement age, changing family structures with low birth
rates, more mobility and more women in the professional work force and therefore less informal
care givers. At the same time there is a lack of care professionals that could step in and economic
pressure on the health care systems of European countries. These developments on the level of
society are currently stimulating the development of telecare solutions.
On the side of technology the following trends could be made out: 1. There will be an increasing
use of mobile health through the steady rise of smart phones, tablets, wireless technology and
the interaction of different (medical) devices with mobile technology. More and more elderly
people who use smart phones, tablets and computers and therefore possible good acceptance of
services delivered over such devices 2. Also the use of personal digital assistants, monitoring devices
or apps for monitoring health status and to communicate it to health professionals and seek
assistance if needed, will increase. 3. Interaction between existing devices and more functions in
one device will increase. 4. Devices become more user-friendly and less expensive as production
costs can be reduced, as more and more people are using those devices. 5. Devices will be used
for prediction and prevention to prevent diseases or manage them in an early state to prevent
aggravation. 6. There will be an extended use of telehealth into other fields of use such as other
patient groups or functions within hospitals or clinics.
As the expert interviews showed there are ethical issues that have to be addressed. Other unresolved
issues around the use of telecare might negatively influence development, dissemination
and further investment in telecare technologies. They can be grouped as follows