Electronic health systems will redefine how we care for patients

Funding and a focus on clinical outcomes are critical to success

TORONTO, June 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Safety concerns and quality of care are expected to increase the adoption of electronic health systems (EHS), finds a KPMG report. The report: Accelerating innovation: the power of the crowd, recently presented to the European Union's Commissioner for the Digital Agenda was applauded for its "hard statistics, convincing case studies and a good analysis of success factors" - the evidence needed to move forward with transforming the Canadian healthcare system through the right technology.

"Our report suggests the move towards increased adoption of electronic health systems will be driven by Baby Boomers, fuelled by their experiences and comfort as online consumers," says Georgina Black, Partner and National Health Sector Lead with KPMG in Canada. "However, despite consumer appetite, barriers do exist and there is still a lot of work to be done - sustained funding and a focus on clinical outcomes are critical to success."

Accelerating innovation: the power of the crowd is based on in-depth interviews with healthcare executives representing 15 countries, as well as insights from KPMG's healthcare partners. Additional study highlights include:

• 58 percent believe demands for greater efficiency will drive the need for accelerated Information Technology (IT) adoption
• More than 30 percent of respondents said the main barrier to EHS is funding while 29 percent believed it to be healthcare professionals' reluctance to adopting new technology
• 26 percent suggest a shortage of staff entering healthcare professions will foster greater reliance on technology

The KPMG Perspective

According to Aaron Berk, KPMG in Canada's Health IT Specialist, the case for EHS has never been more compelling. "Technology is an embedded part of our everyday lives - it permeates everything we do and will eventually become a fundamental element of Canada's healthcare offering," adds Berk. "While technology alone is not the answer, significant value will come from sharing experiences among countries, systems, institutions, as well as healthcare providers and patients alike."

KPMG believes healthcare technology will see stronger adoption and sustained delivery in Canada by:

• Harnessing healthcare professionals - while all stakeholders have a role to play, program success hinges on one critical group - healthcare professionals
• Getting the basics right - EHS programs do not develop in isolation, they demand a long-term outlook, adequate funding, and a focus on clinical outcomes
• Focusing on core elements - targeting key areas like core services and chronic diseases will reduce overall complexity and generate measurable results

Background Information

• Full report available for download: Accelerating innovation: the power of the crowd
• KPMG in Canada's recent work on healthcare transformation in Canada: Shifting Gears: Fiscal Sustainability and the Transformation of Canada's Healthcare System
• KPMG in Canada's healthcare practice

About KPMG

KPMG LLP, an Audit, Tax and Advisory firm (kpmg.ca) and a Canadian limited liability partnership established under the laws of Ontario, is the Canadian member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG member firms around the world have 145,000 professionals, in 152 countries.

The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity, and describes itself as such.

For further information:

Michael Bodsworth
Manager, Media Relations
KPMG in Canada
[phone]
[e-mail]