Kalorama predicts growth in European EHR market

Interoperability and upgrades will drive the European EHR market to grow through at least 2017, according to an October report published by market researcher Kalorama Information.

The European EHR market increased at a rate of 3.1 percent since 2010 to reach revenues of $6.8 billion in 2012. While researchers believe that represents modest growth, they predict the market will grow at a rate of 6.6 percent to reach $8.8 billion in 2017.  

Barriers remain, but a variety of factors could contribute to growth. While EHRs have been widely adopted and utilized in some European countries, the adoption rate has more closely mirrored the United States’ in others. EHR implementations and upgrades as governments enter partnerships to create a more universal system across the content will account for the growth, according to the report.

Various factors unique to the continent present challenges, as well as universal factors such as limited financial and professional resources. Different vendors have had varying levels of success penetrating the markets of different countries--language barriers and various sets of regulations have all proved challenging. However, the growing need to address rising healthcare costs and quality concerns has inspired governments to partner toward an interoperable EHR system. While circumstances indicate now is the time for growth, it will require participation from all stakeholders, according to the report.

“The healthcare industry is facing significant challenges to improve quality of care and patient satisfaction while controlling rising costs,” the report read. “The  various European governments have stepped in to try to prompt a smarter, more efficient and less costly healthcare system that advocates better connections, better data and faster, more detailed analysis. Smarter healthcare is interconnected so that doctors, nurses, patients and insurers all share up-to-date information seamlessly and efficiently. EHR is at the heart of the health information technology market, and it affects most healthcare IT purchases. Government initiatives and cost concerns are key drivers of EMR and will remain so in the near future.”