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DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1638465
Section 6: Education and Consumer Informatics: The Path towards eHealth: Obstacles along the Way
Correspondence to
Publication History
Publication Date:
07 March 2018 (online)
Summary
Objectives
The two authors of this article share both a strong interest in, and deep concerns about, the use of eHealth (electronic information and communication technologies for improving or maintaining health). In this article, we identify some unanticipated obstacles to effective use of eHealth.
Methods
We reflected upon the potential of information and communication technologies to transform the health system and its failure to achieve that potential.
Results
We chose seven obstacles: the insufficient emphasis on health in eHealth, the lack of time for reflection, the development of a fortress mentality, poor evaluation of efforts, lack of involvement of youth, inequity, and a parochial attitude that precludes economies of scale. Whenever possible, we provided examples of innovative initiatives that illustrate potential ways to meet our current challenges.
Conclusion
We believe that the obstacles we describe in this article can be overcome. The impediments are not only technological, but also cognitive, financial and political. To succeed will require a major shift from our ethic of competition to one of generosity, commitment, and collaboration; enlightened, as opposed to narrow, self-interest.
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References
- 1 Oh H, Rizo C, Enkin M, Jadad A. What is eHealth (3) A systematic review of published definitions. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2005; 07 (01) e1. http://www.jmir.org/2005/1/e1/
- 2 Eysenbach G. What is e-Health?. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2001; 03 (02) e20.
- 3 Jadad AR, Delamothe T. What next for electronic communication and health care?. BMJ 2004; 328: 1143-4.
- 4 Evans RG, Barer ML, Marmor TR. editors. Why are some people healthy and others not? The determinants of health of populations. New York: Aldine de Gruyter; 1994
- 5 Jadad AR. A view from the Internet age: Let’s build a health system that meets the needs of the next generation. CMAJ 2004; 171: 1457-8.
- 6 Atherley G. Evidence of public value and public risk of electronic health records: an issue for social justice?. Electronic Healthcare 2005; 04: 96-103.
- 7 Skinner H, Abdeen Z, Abdeen H, Aber P, Al-Masri M, Attias J. et al. Promoting Arab and Israeli Cooperation: Peacebuilding through health initiatives. Lancet 2005; 365: 1274-7.
- 8 Leonard K, Leonard KJ. Critical Success Factors Relating to Healthcare’s Adoption of New Technology: A Guide to Increasing the Likelihood of Successful Implementation. Electronic Healthcare 2004; 02: 72-81.
Correspondence to
-
References
- 1 Oh H, Rizo C, Enkin M, Jadad A. What is eHealth (3) A systematic review of published definitions. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2005; 07 (01) e1. http://www.jmir.org/2005/1/e1/
- 2 Eysenbach G. What is e-Health?. Journal of Medical Internet Research 2001; 03 (02) e20.
- 3 Jadad AR, Delamothe T. What next for electronic communication and health care?. BMJ 2004; 328: 1143-4.
- 4 Evans RG, Barer ML, Marmor TR. editors. Why are some people healthy and others not? The determinants of health of populations. New York: Aldine de Gruyter; 1994
- 5 Jadad AR. A view from the Internet age: Let’s build a health system that meets the needs of the next generation. CMAJ 2004; 171: 1457-8.
- 6 Atherley G. Evidence of public value and public risk of electronic health records: an issue for social justice?. Electronic Healthcare 2005; 04: 96-103.
- 7 Skinner H, Abdeen Z, Abdeen H, Aber P, Al-Masri M, Attias J. et al. Promoting Arab and Israeli Cooperation: Peacebuilding through health initiatives. Lancet 2005; 365: 1274-7.
- 8 Leonard K, Leonard KJ. Critical Success Factors Relating to Healthcare’s Adoption of New Technology: A Guide to Increasing the Likelihood of Successful Implementation. Electronic Healthcare 2004; 02: 72-81.