In a new study from the Economist Intelligence Unit on healthcare provision for an ageing population, supported by Pfizer, the overwhelming majority of health professionals surveyed (80%) express their concern about how they will be treated when they grow old. They are indeed sceptical that current policies to address demographic shift caused by an ageing population are comprehensive, realistic or sufficiently funded to address future demand. The outlook is not entirely pessimistic, however: while 49% of survey respondents claim that ageing is a threat to the viability of their countries’ national healthcare systems, 50% believe it provides the opportunity for broader healthcare reforms which are needed anyway.
Based on responses from more than 1,000 healthcare professionals across Europe and interviews with 22 international experts on ageing, the report, entitled A New Vision for Old Age: Rethinking Health Policy for Europe’s Ageing Society, concludes that there is an urgent need to rethink the way healthcare is provided to older people.
The study examines the leading challenges, as well as opportunities, presented by the ageing of societies in Europe, and some of the steps countries may take in response. The key findings of the report are:
· Smarter investment should focus on preventive healthcare as this could reduce the prevalence of chronic illness, which increases as we get older. The main recommendation made by 46% of medical professionals in the survey is for governments to prioritise making citizens responsible for their own health.
· Greater emphasis should be placed on better integration of health and social care: only 38% of respondents feel their country is good at this.
· Medical training should focus on the future healthcare needs of ageing populations to meet the challenge of chronic disease more efficiently. 27% of respondents see a shortage of primary care workers as one of the top challenges facing their healthcare systems, and 20% say the same in regard to secondary care workers. The training of health professionals is not currently geared to the evolving needs of healthcare systems, in particular the integrated care which elderly patients with more than one chronic condition require.
· Negative attitudes towards older people need to be challenged: 42% of respondents view the attitudes of healthcare staff as a major barrier to the provision of better care for the elderly, and more than one-half also say that older patients are less likely to have their complaints given full attention than younger people.
The recommendations from the report outline specific strategies that policymakers could adopt now to help ensure that population ageing is managed in a sustainable way:
- Population interventions to maintain good health should be used more widely. These can increase healthy life expectancy and delay the onset of disability and chronic disease.
- The introduction and uptake of innovative technologies such as remote monitoring, telemedicine and new treatments that require fewer visits to the doctor should be encouraged to help older people remain independent for longer: the key to managing chronic disease centres around assisting affected individuals to live healthy, independent lives within the community.
- Health and social care providers should be encouraged to provide integrated patient-centred care, empowering patients to stay healthier.
- Specialised educational training in the needs of older people should be put in place for all healthcare professionals.
- Increasing retirement ages and more flexible working patterns could help to increase workforce participation and keep people healthier as they work longer.
Neelie Kroes, the Vice-President of the European Commission, said: "We see population ageing as being not only a challenge but a formidable opportunity for innovation and growth in Europe as it forces us to adopt new models such as for health and social care and to invest in technologies, tools and skills to help older people stay healthy and active members of society."
Iain Scott, Managing Editor at the EIU, said: “Europe as a whole is wrestling with the challenges of an ageing population. What is clear from our research is that healthcare professionals lack confidence in current policies to such an extent that they fear for their own future care as they age. This report reveals the fundamental steps that healthcare professionals believe will lead to an improved future not just for older people but for society as a whole."
Richard Torbett, Senior Director of International Affairs at Pfizer said: “This research underlines the need for everyone involved in healthcare to put preparedness for ageing at the centre of their planning for the future. Healthcare professionals are delivering a clear message that prioritising the right investments now—in preventive health, training and service integration—can put us in a position to manage the transition to an older society sustainably and cost-effectively. But these are some of the very activities most under threat from austerity."
A New Vision for Old Age: Rethinking Health Policy for Europe’s Ageing Society
can be downloaded free of charge at:
http://www.businessresearch.eiu.com/new-vision-old-age.html
Press enquiries:
Joanne McKenna, Press Liaison, +44 (0)20 7576 8188, joannemckenna@eiu.com
Denis McCauley, Executive Editor, +44 (0)20 7576 8237, denismccauley@eiu.com
Iain Scott, Senior Editor, +44 (0)20 7576 8251, iainscott@eiu.com
About the research
In 2011, we surveyed 1,113 healthcare professionals in several European countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, as well as the Netherlands and countries in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Most of the respondents (741) are frontline healthcare staff, including doctors and nurses, and others are in policy/strategy; administration; research and development (R&D); manufacturing; or at non-governmental organisations (NGOs). To supplement the survey results and to help to explain their implications, we also conducted in-depth interviews with numerous leading figures in the healthcare sector, including policymakers. As well as this report, the findings and other issues central to the theme are discussed in a series of case studies, published separately. The Economist Intelligence Unit exercised full editorial control over the content of this report.
About the Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is the world's leading resource for economic and business research, forecasting and analysis. It provides accurate and impartial intelligence for companies, government agencies, financial institutions and academic organisations around the globe, inspiring business leaders to act with confidence since 1946. EIU products include its flagship Country Reports service, providing political and economic analysis for 195 countries, and a portfolio of subscription-based data and forecasting services. The company also undertakes bespoke research and analysis projects on individual markets and business sectors. More information is available at www.eiu.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/theeiu
The EIU is headquartered in London, UK, with offices in more than 40 cities and a network of some 650 country experts and analysts worldwide. It operates independently as the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs.
About Pfizer
Pfizer is a leading biopharmaceutical company, applying science and global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life and striving to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Its diversified global healthcare portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world’s best-known consumer products. Pfizer also collaborates with healthcare providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. To learn more, please visit www.pfizer.com.
