E-health can be defined as a system that is complementary to the traditional healthcare delivery system, by eliminating the paper as the provider of information and allowing all patients and health information to be recorded in electronic form and accessed quickly and efficiently through computer networks or the Internet. The e-health concept today represents one of the most sophisticated applications of information and communication technologies and constantly reminds us how much has the technology advanced and how lucky we are to get to experience it during our lifetime.
The Core of Electronic Healthcare
The idea that patients can access all their information via Internet no matter where they are located is truly an exciting thing. But, what are the actual benefits of having the privilege of using eHealth? The basic idea of eHealth is to introduce “health smart cards” for patients, connect hospitals, laboratories and households to a secure IT network that will enable online healthcare delivery. Electronic records on prescribed medications and established diagnoses prevent the manipulation of medications and prescriptions. The records are clear and legible, which avoids mistakes and superficiality of the healthcare professionals due to the ambiguity of the information.
The Government Encourages Technology in Healthcare
In the Netherlands, and especially amongst doctors in Amsterdam, eHealth is becoming one of the most exciting additions to an already quality healthcare. By introducing eHealth to its citizens, but also developing a whole system of Amsterdam tourist doctors, patients of all nationalities whose roads end in the Netherlands, can expect extremely effective and quick service. The Dutch government has recognized the importance of introducing technology in as many sectors as possible, which is why they are constantly encouraging the healthcare sector to provide more eHealth services.
Benefits of Digital Healthcare
The eHealth service has proven to have numerous benefits, with some of the crucial ones including: saving time, an insight into your own health and less administrative struggles. As many users of online medical appointment know by now, telehealth (the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies in supporting health care) saves a lot of time. Next, in the digital system, any eHealth user can have a personal insight into their history of health. The system allows patients to share all of their data with healthcare providers, so that they do not have to repeatedly relate their entire medical history. By doing this, patients get more control over their own health and feel more secure. Finally, introduction of the eHealth system brings a lot of reliefs to healthcare professionals as well. One of the biggest side effects of the job are constant administrative struggles that are, in most countries around the world, still part of the job on a daily basis. With eHealth, medical professionals have less paperwork and can share all the data acquired during the doctor appointment with their colleagues, if necessary, and with their patients.
Even though many doctors now are offering patients the opportunity to schedule medical appointments online, many medical offices in the Netherlands still do not have this option. However, according to eHealth Monitor in 2015, somewhere around 46% of patients are looking forward to this happening, but only if there are good safeguards for privacy.