Abstract
BackgroundeHealth is widely used as a tool for improving health care delivery and information. However, distinct policies and strategies are required for its proper implementation and integration at national and international levels.ObjectiveTo determine the scope of policy issues faced by individuals, institutions, or governments in implementing eHealth programs.MethodsWe conducted a structured review of both peer-reviewed and gray literature from 1998–2008. A Medline search for peer-reviewed articles found 40 papers focusing on different aspects of eHealth policy. In addition, a Google search found 20 national- and international-level policy papers and documents. We reviewed these articles to extract policy issues and solutions described at different levels of care.ResultsThe literature search found 99 policy issues related to eHealth. We grouped these issues under the following themes: (1) networked care, (2) interjurisdictional practice, (3) diffusion of eHealth/digital divide, (4) eHealth integration with existing systems, (5) response to new initiatives, (6) goal-setting for eHealth policy, (7) evaluation and research, (8) investment, and (9) ethics in eHealth.ConclusionsWe provide a list of policy issues that should be understood and addressed by policy makers at global, jurisdictional, and institutional levels, to facilitate smooth and reliable planning of eHealth programs.
Highlights
WHO has for many years undertaken activities on the use of information technology for health care and medical purposes
An international consultation convened by WHO (December 1997) prepared input on “telematics” for WHO’s health-for-all policy for the twenty-first century.[1]
1 eLearning is understood in this context to mean use of any electronic technology and media in support of learning
Summary
1. The emergence and growth of information and communication technologies, touching many spheres of life, have in the past decade brought opportunity and challenge to all countries. The emergence and growth of information and communication technologies, touching many spheres of life, have in the past decade brought opportunity and challenge to all countries This is reflected in the Millennium Development Goals, especially target 18: “In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications”. It indicates ways of providing support to Member States in the use of eHealth for public-health purposes, health-care delivery, capacity building, and governance. It includes eLearning for the public, meaning, in this context, the use of any electronic technology and media in the support of learning
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