HOOFDSTUK 1 – INTRODUCING EHEALTH
Healthcare systems face multiple challenges, including an aging population, increasing
demand for care, and rising costs. eHealth offers solutions by:
- Promoting self-management and prevention.
- Improving the quality and efficiency of care.
- Enhancing access to healthcare
eHealth definition according Eysenbach, 2001: eHealth is an emerging field in the
intersection of medical informatics, public health and business, referring to health
services and information delivered or enhanced through the Internet and related
technologies. In a broader sense, the term characterizes not only a technical
development, but also a state-of-mind, a way of thinking, an attitude, and a commitment
for networked, global thinking, to improve healthcare locally, regionally, and worldwide
by using information and communication technology.
eHealth: The use of technology to support health, well-being, and healthcare
eHealth technology: The actual technological system via which health, well-being, and
healthcare are supported, often referring to information or communication technology
eHealth intervention: An eHealth intervention that is delivered through or supported by
technology in an existing context by changing behaviour and/or cognitions
Behaviour change interventions: Behaviour change interventions are interventions
designed to intentionally affect the actions that individuals take with regard to their
health
Self-care and Prevention
The patient or health consumer takes the lead. Examples include:
- Online self-help programs.
- Health apps and wearables.
- Websites and forums providing health information.
Supportive Care
Here, healthcare professionals collaborate with patients. Examples include:
- Teleconsultations.
- Electronic health records (EHRs) and personal health records (PHRs).
- Self-management support for chronic diseases.
, Societal Health
This involves large-scale health interventions at the population level. Examples include:
- Technologies for infectious disease surveillance (e.g., COVID-19 contact tracing
apps).
- Online health promotion campaigns.
- Serious games for health education
eHealth provides several advantages, categorized into four main areas:
1. Access to Healthcare
Healthcare is available regardless of time and location (e.g., teleconsultations)
Improved access for people in remote areas
2. Empowerment of Patients
Greater control over personal health and treatment
Access to personal health data
3. Innovation in Healthcare
AI and big data for diagnostics
Personalized health apps and wearable technology
4. Improving Quality of Care
Better communication between healthcare professionals
Data-driven decision-making for evidence-based care
Barriers to Implementing eHealth
Despite its benefits, eHealth adoption faces multiple obstacles:
- Uptake barriers
Resistance from healthcare professionals and patients.
Insufficient digital literacy.
- Ethical barriers
Privacy and data security issues.
Lack of transparency in AI decision-making.
- (Lack of Scientific) Evidence barriers
Limited proof of effectiveness and cost-efficiency for some eHealth
applications.
Difficulties in conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for digital
interventions
Healthcare systems face multiple challenges, including an aging population, increasing
demand for care, and rising costs. eHealth offers solutions by:
- Promoting self-management and prevention.
- Improving the quality and efficiency of care.
- Enhancing access to healthcare
eHealth definition according Eysenbach, 2001: eHealth is an emerging field in the
intersection of medical informatics, public health and business, referring to health
services and information delivered or enhanced through the Internet and related
technologies. In a broader sense, the term characterizes not only a technical
development, but also a state-of-mind, a way of thinking, an attitude, and a commitment
for networked, global thinking, to improve healthcare locally, regionally, and worldwide
by using information and communication technology.
eHealth: The use of technology to support health, well-being, and healthcare
eHealth technology: The actual technological system via which health, well-being, and
healthcare are supported, often referring to information or communication technology
eHealth intervention: An eHealth intervention that is delivered through or supported by
technology in an existing context by changing behaviour and/or cognitions
Behaviour change interventions: Behaviour change interventions are interventions
designed to intentionally affect the actions that individuals take with regard to their
health
Self-care and Prevention
The patient or health consumer takes the lead. Examples include:
- Online self-help programs.
- Health apps and wearables.
- Websites and forums providing health information.
Supportive Care
Here, healthcare professionals collaborate with patients. Examples include:
- Teleconsultations.
- Electronic health records (EHRs) and personal health records (PHRs).
- Self-management support for chronic diseases.
, Societal Health
This involves large-scale health interventions at the population level. Examples include:
- Technologies for infectious disease surveillance (e.g., COVID-19 contact tracing
apps).
- Online health promotion campaigns.
- Serious games for health education
eHealth provides several advantages, categorized into four main areas:
1. Access to Healthcare
Healthcare is available regardless of time and location (e.g., teleconsultations)
Improved access for people in remote areas
2. Empowerment of Patients
Greater control over personal health and treatment
Access to personal health data
3. Innovation in Healthcare
AI and big data for diagnostics
Personalized health apps and wearable technology
4. Improving Quality of Care
Better communication between healthcare professionals
Data-driven decision-making for evidence-based care
Barriers to Implementing eHealth
Despite its benefits, eHealth adoption faces multiple obstacles:
- Uptake barriers
Resistance from healthcare professionals and patients.
Insufficient digital literacy.
- Ethical barriers
Privacy and data security issues.
Lack of transparency in AI decision-making.
- (Lack of Scientific) Evidence barriers
Limited proof of effectiveness and cost-efficiency for some eHealth
applications.
Difficulties in conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for digital
interventions
