E-Health

The term e-health refers to applications of electronic equipment for medical care and other tasks in healthcare.

Definition

The concept of art of e-health and e- health is relatively new. There is agreement on the basic definition, but what the term in detail and what boundaries there are similar terms, subject to some variability. Depending on the author, or target group lacks a coherent holistic definition (cf. Eysenbach, 2001) or e- Health mixes with the established terms such as telemedicine ( and other tele -X - terms ) or also new expressions such as Online Health, Cyber ​​medicine and ( Internet - ) Consumer Health Informatics (cf. Ferguson, 2002; cf. Ferguson, 1995).

A new area is called mHealth applications that provide eHealth solutions on mobile devices. Sometimes are meant when they rely on the Internet infrastructure or technology (eg IT-based Expertenkonsile or remote monitoring of vital signs of patients in their own home ) with e -health applications in telemedicine. Approaches to direct patient -computer interaction complementing the doctor call today received a new impetus to the Internet and are often counted in the result for E -Health. But these have been known since the 1970s in the U.S., without the term e- Health was used for ( Slack et al, 1968;. Cf. Ferguson, 2002; cf Slack, 1997; cf Slack et al 1976., . Schuman et al, 1975; cf. Lucas et al, 1975;. more on page 91). To describe already Schuman et al. 1975, Lucas et al. 1976 projects for a computerized history-taking, in which patients use the computer itself.

Often with e-health and the networking efforts outlined in the health system (eg, electronic medical records ) or general IT-driven infrastructure initiatives (for example, e-procurement via Internet ) refers (cf. PWC, 1999). In addition, the term e-health tends variety of actors is guided ( by insurance companies health portals to virtual self-help groups), making it accessible to health information and services on the Internet lay consumers. The same applies to the global business trend that patients do on the internet about medical issues competently and take in the episode stronger influence on their health care. This " participatory health care" is related to the ways patients and other reference groups in the rapid dissemination, evaluation and summary to integrate health information created by the Internet. The common goal is to improve health care in general, as well as a possible improvement of patient care ( patient experiences ), and ultimately the results of treatment (medical outcomes).

Accordingly, comprehensive in scope, therefore, is one of the attempts at a definition for the term E - Health: Eysenbach (2001) sees this as not only " a technical development, but also a [ ...] ( special ) way of thinking, attitude and commitment to cross-linked and global thinking, to the health care [ ... ] through the use of information and communication technology to improve. " Total is becoming apparent that the new concept has been introduced to clearly mark that would arise from the convergence of Internet and medicine something new, connected to both opportunities and risks for all stakeholders in health care. "E -health is driven by non- professionals, including the patient ( or, in the e-health jargon, consumers ), the leave with their interests new services are emerging in health care - mostly about their Emanzipationsbestrebung through access to information and knowledge to strengthen " ( Della Mea, 2001; cf. Allen, 1999). Chance also commence teletherapy projects already in practice.

In 2005, the 58th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization ( WHO) states that " e-health affordable and safe use of information and communication technologies describes to promote overall health " - and comprising the support of the health system, health coverage, health promotion, and general knowledge and research.

Origin of the term

As a collective term for the convergence of Internet and E-Health Medicine appeared in business magazines and studies by consulting firms in the wake of the dotcom boom, first in 1997. It was not until around the year 2000, the term e-health was finally in medical journals represented (cf. Eysenbach, 2001; cf. Della Mea, 2001; Bauer, 2000; Goldstein, 2000). However, science and industry employed longer with the subject of e-health, but without using this term. Internet -based applications in medicine, see, for example, at least since 1991 scientific consideration ( Hankins, 1991). The fact that something new can emerge from the meeting of patients and Internet for medicine and the doctor -patient relationship, is sporadically since about 1993 /94 and described increased since 1995/96 in trade and consumer press.

Forms of e - Health

Depending on the subject and stage of development of e -health applications can divide them into different forms of e-health:

• Information - The provision of information to patients or doctors about information portals
• Communication - The exchange of information between two parties (patient - doctor, doctor - a doctor, ...) without direct and timely response of the communication partner (eg online diabetes diary)
• Interaction - The exchange of information or data between parties with a direct reaction of the communication partner (eg home monitoring )
• Transaction - be able to represent and handle the specific data exchange between different partners, with the aim of the provision of medical services fully electronically (see Electronic patient card )
• Integration - The lifetime record of all the data of a patient about his health. Merging all data from medical and paramedical areas and supplement the information through information and records the patient's own (electronic health record ).

Related terms (partial synonyms)

• Online Health
• Cybermedicine
• Cyber ​​Doctor
• Consumer Health Informatics
• Health 2.0

Touched topics

• Medical computer science
• Telemedicine (tele- operations or telediagnostics )
• EHR (Electronic Health Records / EHR )
• Electronic Health Card
• Electronic Health Professional Card (HBA, and Health Professional Card, HPC)
• E -learning in medical education, continuing education and training
• E- Appointment ( online appointment scheduling )
• E -Mental Health ( Mental Health )