Abstract

Pressured by the issue of financial sustainability and the challenge posed by the constant increases in the incidence of chronic diseases, public health systems of industrialized countries have relied on the implementation of information and communication technologies (ICT) to revolutionize health care management processes. The diffusion of ICT has therefore been seen as a facilitator for the improvement of the quality and expansion of access to health services, and, simultaneously, improving the resources invested. The latter reason, in particular, has become a recurring argument in the context of European public health systems reforms since the 1980's, especially after the financial crisis of 2008.

According to the main guidelines set by the European Union, Portugal is preparing to host this “revolution” in the context of health care, a strategy infused in the country's modernization agenda, a process also known as Portugal Digital. However, beyond the enthusiasm aroused by its potential benefits, the employment of ICT in the relations between health care professionals and patients has led to various criticisms that have been underestimated by policymakers promoting them. Undoubtedly, the adoption of a “non problematic” guidance with regard to the implementation of ICT in the National Health System can become a useful strategy to encourage - directly or indirectly - technological innovation processes in health. But at the same time, it can also mask the interests of large medical industry providers and enhance the risk of erosion of citizen’s health rights. 


Bio note

Carlo Botrugno  holds a degree in Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Bologna and in Social Services at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Bologna, Italy. 

He is presently a PhD candidate within the  Doctoral Programme “Law and New Technologies of the Centre”, Interdipartimentale di Ricerca in Storia del diritto, Filosofia e Sociologia del diritto e informatica giuridica (CIRSFID), of the University of Bologna and is conducting a PhD internship at the Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra.