CHEARS

E-health is an evolving field in the juncture of medical informatics, public health, and business, stating to the health services and information distributed or heightened through the Internet and associated technologies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines "e-health" as "the safe and cost-effective use of ICTs and their role in supporting health and related areas, including health care services, health monitoring, health literature, education, and knowledge.”

 

The e-health theme includes lot of fields such as prevention, wellbeing, care, support and information that aim to diagnose or treat diseases. However, this does not give a precise diagnosis of the diseases, it is just to check that you are in good health.It also provides encouragement for a new link between the patient and health expert, towards a true corporation, where choices are made mutually.

 

Advantages of E-health:

• Protected use of facts and communication technologies (ICT) in favour of health and health related fields.

• Quick access to patient records and information for efficient health care.

• Reduced paper work, reduced duplication of costs etc. thus reducing the cost of health care.

• Reduce medical errors and better clinical decision making.

• Better health by encouraging healthier lifestyles in the entire population, including increased physical activity, better nutrition, avoidance of behavioural risks, and wider use of preventative care.

• Technologies at home like eVisits to the doctor, remote vitals signs monitoring systems, asthma monitoring and home dialysis systems saves time and expense of travelling.

• The use of computer systems for patient management, medical records and electronic prescribing which reduces medical errors and better clinical decision making.

 

Challenges of E-health:

• Cost challenges in common - Inability to bear the costs of developing the infrastructure and the application of e-health services.

• The unavailability or lack of the basic infrastructure and adequate awareness of the value of medical informatics and e-health in the development of health services.

• Trouble in learning and using the software - Lack of experience and lack of good and qualified human capabilities in the field of medical information.

• Systematizing of all health information systems, from the time when the content and arrangement of all health information systems should be standardized.

• Poor level of cooperation and linkage between different health sectors. The absence of a clear vision among the health institutions designated to provide health care services.

• The financial barrier in procurement - Inability to bear the costs of developing the infrastructure and the application of e-health services.

• Weak infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of human cadres medical and non-medical to deal with the concept of e-health and the provision of services.

 

The use of technologies, such as smart phones, social networks, and internet applications, is not only changing the way we communicate, but also providing innovative ways for us to monitor our health and well-being and giving us greater access to information. Together, these advancements are leading to a convergence of people, information, technology, and connectivity to improve health care and health outcomes. These trends would seem inconsistent with the rapid developments that are occurring in personalized medicine.