Federal Office of Communications
Federal Office of Communications
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Health and the health care system
To promote reform of the health care system using e-Health
Demographic change, the increase in chronic diseases and the changed requirements for prevention and care are the greatest challenges facing health care in Switzerland. The use of ICT in the health sector (e-Health) supports the necessary reforms through which the Swiss health care system will achieve long-term improvements in terms of efficiency, quality and patient safety. The integration of ICT into the health sector requires a high level of health skills among both providers and within the population and therefore also constitutes a challenge in the education and knowledge management sectors.
The Confederation's priorities for action:
- The Confederation will continue implementation of the "eHealth Switzerland" strategy to integrate ICT into the health care system and to introduce and disseminate electronic patient records, in close coordination with the cantons and in cooperation with private partners and international organisations.
- Personal health records warrant special data protection. The Confederation ensures the protection of personal health records and supports the population in exercising their informational self-determination.
To enhance skills in dealing with the health risks associated with ICT
The increasing use of ICT in daily life changes everyday life. ICT not only have diverse effects on the behaviour of people in Switzerland but also on their health. However, there is little scientific information about the potential health hazards relating to the use of ICT in daily life. Trust-worthy recommendations on avoiding these risks are equally rare.
The Confederation's priorities for action:
- The Confederation supports research on the impact of the use of ICT on health..
- It raises people's awareness of the potential health-related risks and the ways in which the risks of ICT use can be reduced or eliminated.
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