The master's thesis focuses on the examination of the development of national digital health strategies in six smaller European countries: Slovenia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Austria, and Switzerland. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed, relying on the analysis and comparison of documents, policies, and strategies. In-depth interviews with e-health experts contributed to understanding key themes, patterns, and trends in digital health. Quantitative analysis of statistical data involved official sources processed using a statistical program called Minitab.
With an emphasis on smaller European countries with populations under 10 million, the study confirmed hypotheses regarding key factors influencing the adoption of e-health, including national strategy, financial support, and the impact of external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The research results confirm that countries took steps towards the digitization of public health systems during the pandemic, especially those with established strategies. While the pandemic accelerated e-health development, it was not the sole driving factor. The study indicates that countries recognize the importance of digital changes and are implementing updated strategies. However, the results did not show a correlation between higher healthcare expenditures, GDP, and the success of e-health development measured by the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI).
In conclusion, the findings are summarized, and suggestions for further research in this field are provided, contributing to the understanding of dynamics and factors influencing digital health in smaller European countries.
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