Perspective

European healthcare systems readiness to shift from ‘one-size fits all’ to personalized medicine

*Author for correspondence:

E-mail Address: scheegenannthalfmann@merit.unu.edu

Maastricht Economic & Social Research Institute on Innovation & Technology (MERIT), Maastricht University, Boschstraat 24, 6211AX Maastricht, The Netherlands

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Nikolaos Evangelatos

Maastricht Economic & Social Research Institute on Innovation & Technology (MERIT), Maastricht University, Boschstraat 24, 6211AX Maastricht, The Netherlands

University Clinic for Emergency & Intensive Care Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Prof. Ernst-Nathan-Strasse 1, 90419 Nuremberg, Germany

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Peter Schröder-Bäck

Department of International Health, School CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Duboisdomein 30, 6229 GT Maastricht, The Netherlands

Faculty for Health & Human Sciences, University of Bremen, Grazer Strasse 2, 28359 Bremen, Germany

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Angela Brand

Maastricht Economic & Social Research Institute on Innovation & Technology (MERIT), Maastricht University, Boschstraat 24, 6211AX Maastricht, The Netherlands

Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands

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Published Online:15 Dec 2016https://doi.org/10.2217/pme-2016-0061

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Abstract

Personalized medicine (PM) is no longer an abstract healthcare approach. It has become a reality over the last years and is already successfully applied in the various medical fields. Although there are success stories of implementing PM, there are still many more opportunities to further implement and make full use of the potential of PM. We assessed the system readiness of healthcare systems in Europe to shift from the predominant ‘one size fits all’ healthcare approach to PM. We conclude that European healthcare systems are only partially ready for PM. Key challenges such as integration of big data, health literacy, reimbursement and regulatory issues need to be overcome in order to strengthen the implementation and uptake of PM.

Keywords:

Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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Published online 15 December 2016

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The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

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