Research, Evaluation and Sustainability: Reflecting on 15 Years of Experience in Ehealth

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Research, Evaluation and Sustainability: Reflecting on 15 Years of Experience in Ehealth

Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2019, Vol 19, Issue 2

Abstract

In this paper we reflect on 15 years of experience of working on eHealth research and evaluation in the UK. An integrated, interroperable eHealth programme has yet to materialise. The initial promise that eHealth interventions can facilitate the shaping of the 21st century healthcare systems Stead et al. [1], has not been empirically demonstrated in the past decade. Although isolated cases of successful initiatives exist, the potential of eHealth remains largely unrealised Muuraiskangas et al. [2-4]. Investment in large programmes which aim to develop an integrated and interoperable platform across settings and levels of care, such as the NPfIT in the UK, may not have provided good value for money. Worse still, patient’s safety may have also been compromised Han et al. [5]. Similarly, to eCommerce, eGovernment and eLearning, eHealth (Table 1) was the result of both a demand by consumers and an initiative by government. It was therefore initially considered a paradox that it failed to deliver the muchanticipated benefits. A closer study of the various implementation programmes reveals the reasons for the relative failure of the UK to have a homogeneous and interoperable eHealth platform. These are summarised below:Despite the widespread frustrations, there is currently a renewed interest to invest in new initiatives. As early as in 2012, the European Commission and the U.S. government signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote a common approach for the interoperability of eHealth systems and education programmes for information technology and health professionals. This initiative remains unrealised too in terms of outcomes too. It is now clearer than ever that if eHealth was to succeed, a strategic, implementation, and evaluation framework would need to be established. Because eHealth introduces a number of interruptive processes and changes in already complex health care systems, the development of a comprehensive agenda for research, evaluation and sustainability is essential. In doing so, three individual but reasonably integrated steps are crucial: It is possible that eHealth sustainability requires synergic action between the private and the public sector. Such partnership models may enhance planning beyond the technology level and facilitate systems and problemsolving thinking for the sustainable and integrated use of eHealth.

Authors and Affiliations

Pappas Yannis, Vseteckova Jitka

Keywords

Journals on Biomedical Engineering Journals on Biomedical Science Journal on medical genetics Journals on Cancer medicine Journals on Medical Informatics Journals on Biomedical Imaging Journals on Biomedical Intervention Journals on Medical Microbiology Journals on Medical Casereports Journals on Medical drug and theraputics

EP ID EP621348
DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.19.003275
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