An Investigation on Citizen Access to eHealth Services in County of Blekinge, Sweden

Abstract

In the presence of challenges arise from ageing populations, increasing incidence of chronic diseases, high health care cost, rapid changes in technological equipment and medical knowledge, eHealth offer tremendous abilities to develop and deliver health care services to the end user according to the needs and requirements. Even though the prospective of eHealth is accepted among policy-makers, health care planners and health care practitioners, the implementation of eHealth applications has appeared to be difficult then expectations. In order for successful implementation of eHealth, it is necessary to offer eHealth services according to the citizens and patients expectations. The purpose of this study was to investigate citizens’ accessing the eHealth services in the county of Blekinge, Sweden by identifying the accessible, currently accessed, projected and imagined eHealth services. The knowledge from this study would be supportive to the regional health authorities to understand the citizens’ needs and requirements for a successful delivery of eHealth services in county of Blekinge, Sweden. The authors reviewed scientific articles that discuss the eHealth services which are more in health care practices within European countries. These scientific articles provide the basis for the formulation of interviews to know strategic plans regarding eHealth services. After analysis of interviews, questionnaire was conducted to know the citizen’s opinions about eHealth services. The authors find that, after understanding the success criteria of effectively running eHealth services within European countries, many eHealth services could be implemented successfully in the county of Blekinge, Sweden. The rules of interoperability among Hospitals, GP‘s, Primary Cares and Dental Services would provide substantial benefits to citizens and they can access the eHealth services whenever and wherever they want moreover, in future citizens would have eHealth services according to their expectation.