The government gives the go-ahead to the Non-physical Healthcare Model in the health system of Catalonia

The Non-Physical Healthcare Model (MANP) has been conceived as a new channel of communication to promote and facilitate a closer relationship between the healthcare professionals and the citizens of Catalonia. Specifically, the new model complements and improves (not replacing) physical attention in the surgeries. In fact it is hoped that it will become a tool to solve health problems and administrative or monitoring processes that do not require a physical visit to the health or social healthcare centres, by using ICTs.  

The start-up of the Non-Physical Healthcare Model was approved by the Government of Catalonia on the past Tuesday 4 March. It is expected to start to work before the summer and will be accessible to all people of age.

This is a clear wager by the Government of Catalonia on the modernisation, dynamisation and adaptation of healthcare to modern lifestyles through ICTs.

People at the centre of the system 

The development of the new model will serve to offer a more accessible healthcare service, one that is more personalised and more sustainable, but will also position citizens at the centre of the system. In short, the aims of this introduction are:

• To promote the joint responsibility and active participation of the people in managing their own health.
• To integrate Non-Physical Attention in the healthcare process in order to improve it and make it more efficient, better coordinated, closer, more accessible and useful for all the agents involved.
• To offer citizens information and training on their health. 
• To guarantee people’s accessibility to the health system by enhancing the use of telephony and ICTs. 

The Non-Physical Healthcare Model is based on the accessibility and generalisation of the use of internet and the technology platforms in Catalonia; citizens are therefore offered the chance to resolve bureaucratic processes or clinical consultations by telematic means. This will speed up these kinds of medical and administrative processes and will also allow more efficient use of the service offer, allowing people to self-manage their own health. 

Patients with one or more chronic diseases will benefit from the new model, as they will enjoy more on-going and individualised attention with security for people, relatives and carers. Furthermore, quality healthcare coverage will be assured in rural areas and territories of Catalonia where there is no access to healthcare or where such access is difficult. 

The Personal Health Channel, a key element

The principle means for developing the new model is the Personal Health Channel (CPS), a project of the Health Department led by CatSalut and the Fundació TicSalut. This is a personal and non-transferable digital area of consultation and for relating, which will be available to all citizens and healthcare professionals for carrying out actions and making use of the Non-Physical Healthcare services on offer. 

By using the channel, citizens can consult the clinical information published by the professionals in the HC3, as well as their medication plan; they can manage documentation and processes, communicate with the assigned healthcare professionals, receive information on how to improve their health and even download health applications in full guarantee of safety and quality. 

Further information

• Report: Non-Physical Healthcare Model in the health system of Catalonia 2013-2016. Government of Catalonia, TicSalut Foundation and Catalan Health Service, February 2014 [access: 8 April 2014]. Available at: http://www.ticsalut.cat/…
• The Government approves the start-up of the Non-Physical Healthcare Model to improve the relationship between the citizens and professionals in the healthcare area. Press room, Government of Catalonia, 4 March 2014 [access: 8 April 2014]. Available at: http://premsa.gencat.cat/…