The Role of E-Health in Developing Nations

Evolution And Evidence

As early as 1969, computers were predicted to be a solution for the growing demands of healthcare provision (Barnett & Sukenik, 1969). Although the capabilities of technology have improved exponentially since then, there is still a need for better evidence for the effectiveness of e-Health solutions. The WHO resolution on e-Health speaks about “the potential impact that it could have” and the EC notes that e-Health will provide “better, more efficient healthcare services for all”. Although it seems logical, there is however an inherent danger in assuming that e-Health will have benefits for patients. For example, one study reported an unexpected increase in mortality when a computerised provider order entry (CPOE) system was introduced in a paediatric hospital (Han et al., 2005). It has been suggested that socio-technical change may have been responsible for this result (O’Hanlon 2011). It demonstrates the importance of considering usability when designing these systems, and of performing careful evaluations when implementing them (Catwell & Sheikh, 2009). Thankfully a more recent similar project demonstrated a significant reduction of 20% in mortality (Longhurst et al., 2010).