A Model for Measuring e-Health Status Across the World

Abstract

Today, e-health plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of healthcare services. However, noticeable differences still exist in developing and applying e-health across the world. The aim of the current study is to present a model for assessing e-health status in different countries. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. Five indicators were determined, and the combination of the indicators was considered as "e-health status indicators." At the next stage, a weight coefficient was assigned to each indicator. Then the identified information and communication technology by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) composed of four groups was assigned as a basis for sampling. One-third of each group of the ranking was selected randomly, and ultimately scores of the indicators were calculated for each country. Then the status of e-health was determined for countries under study, in particular for Iran. The validity of the tool was evaluated through content validity, and the test-retest method was used to check the reliability. The current study resulted in developing a model for measuring e-health status. The model helped to measure the e-health status score for Iran and other countries under study. The model designed in this study can be used by organizations such as the ITU to grade countries according to their e-health status. According to the model, countries with a higher e-health grade could have a higher chance of success in e-health development and deployment.