Challenges and Drawbacks of the EU Medical System Generated by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Field of Health Systems’ Digitalization

Alexandra-Mădălina Țăran, Lavinia Mustea, Sorana Vătavu, Oana-Ramona Lobonț and Magda-Mihaela Luca
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Alexandra-Mădălina Țăran: Doctoral School of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Lavinia Mustea: Department of Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Sorana Vătavu: Department of Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Oana-Ramona Lobonț: Department of Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Magda-Mihaela Luca: Department of Dentistry, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-26

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic and the digitalization of medical services present significant challenges for the medical sector of the European Union, with profound implications for health systems and the provision of high-performance public health services. The sustainability and resilience of health systems are based on the introduction of information and communication technology in health processes and services, eliminating the vulnerability that can have significant consequences for health, social cohesion, and economic progress. This research aims to assess the impact of digitalization on several dimensions of health, introducing specific implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research methodology consists of three procedures: cluster analysis performed through vector quantization, agglomerative clustering, and an analytical approach consisting of data mapping. The main results highlight the importance of effective national responses and provide recommendations, various priorities, and objectives to strengthen health systems at the European level. Finally, the results reveal the need to reduce the gaps between the EU member states and a new approach to policy, governance, investment, health spending, and the performing provision of digital services.

Keywords: European Union; method of vector quantization; digitalization; health; COVID-19; data mapping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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