Defining e-health and its importance
Traditionally, healthcare providers kept paper records on the history and status of their patients. But the rise in health care costs and technological advancement has encouraged the development of electronic tracking systems. Thus, e-health emerged to designate the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the healthcare sector.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines e-health as the use of information and communications technologies in support of health-related fields, such as health surveillance, health literature, and health education, knowledge and research.
Simply understood, e-health refers to the use of the internet and other technologies in the healthcare industry, such as electronics, informatics and telecommunications.
The delivery of e-health can be used when healthcare providers/doctors and patients are not directly in contact, and their interaction is mediated by electronic means. Thus, it offers a way of communication and better connectivity between people and healthcare professionals. It can be as simple as using some form of technology to self-monitor your activity, communicating with different people about health and health conditions, coordinating care within the health system, and actively using technology to provide intervention.
Moreover, it is a cost-effective method of delivering health services to the people and includes communication with health care professionals via email, access to medical records, research health information, etc., by encompassing all sorts of electronic health data exchange such as Telemedicine, Telehealth etc.
e-health can also be used to promote healthcare and well-being. Using e-health technologies and tools help in developing personal lives, health, and wellness by addressing a well-balanced life and pursuing an intentional and healthy relationship with technology, improves patient safety and reduces errors, as well as supports patients to become more informed and take an active role in their own health.