E-Health the sleeping giant.
The term ‘e-health’ has been in use since 1999, but there continues to be much debate over its definition.
For the purpose of our reports, BuddeComm defines e-health as information relating to the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a means of supporting health and health-related fields, with a particular emphasis on the use of high-speed networks. Other terms for e-health include tele-health, telemedicine and health informatics. For a general overview of the major e-health sectors and for more information on international developments see: Digital Media – E-Health
Most governments have a rather disorganised approach to e-health. In Australia there are dozens of semi-independent sectors within the healthcare sector, and there are a similar number of semi-autonomous state and regional authorities. While the benefits of e-health have been known and discussed for over a decade there has been no significant progress beyond endless trials and very small projects. The benefits of a proper e-health system have even been quantified – savings of $30 billion over ten years and an annual saving of 1,300 lives.
The National Clever Network Program is a good initiative, but it again fails to address the more complex issues involved in establishing a true national e-health system.
Other BuddeComm reports discuss a trans-sectoral vision for the larger digital economy; it would be an enormous achievement if we could create such a coordinated approach within the healthcare system itself. See: Australia – Government Policies for the Digital Economy
Another major problem is the need for high-quality affordable infrastructure that would allow the healthcare sector to provide services right to their end-users – so far most initiatives stop at the health provider level. The real benefits of healthcare can only be achieved when patients can be directly linked into the system in an interactive and personal way.
However, before the ‘system’ can actively benefit from e-health it needs to properly align its organisation to the new digital world of interactive and personal (video-based) services that are increasingly becoming available, and this would require a complete reorganisation of the healthcare system itself.
For more info see: Australia – Digital Media – E-Health
