IT spending for the implementation of electronic patient records in Western Europe is expected to climb up to $2.2 billion by 2009, as these systems will become the backbone for accurate healthcare service delivery.
In this study IDC examines electronic patient records market dynamics in Western Europe. Drivers and inhibitors of future investments are analyzed and a forecast of total IT spending for electronic patient record solutions by product line (hardware, software and services) up to 2009 is provided. Eventually a few strategic options are highlighted to suggest a viable marketing approach to IT vendors and some guidelines are drawn for end users to harness maximum benefit from their investments.
"IT vendors that want to gain a share of this spending must join forces with other vendors to provide comprehensive technological and managerial capabilities, offer managed services for long-term security and continuity of access to patient data, and aggressively target regional governments," said Massimiliano Claps, program manager, Public Sector, IDC European Vertical Markets.
