eHealth

EHealth refers to the use of information and communication technologies in health care and public health to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and management of health conditions. It covers electronic health records, telemedicine, mobile health (mHealth) apps, health information exchange, telemonitoring, e-prescribing, imaging informatics, and consumer health technologies.

Electronic health records (EHRs) provide longitudinal, interoperable data across care settings; electronic medical records (EMRs) are typically limited to a single provider. Interoperability standards such as HL7 and FHIR support data exchange. Telemedicine and telehealth enable remote consultations; mHealth uses apps and wearables for monitoring and self-management.

Benefits include improved access to care, enhanced safety and quality, more efficient care delivery, better care coordination, and data-driven insights for population health. Digital tools can boost patient engagement through portals and feedback, and enable remote monitoring and early intervention for chronic conditions.

Challenges include privacy and security risks, data protection requirements (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR), data quality and governance, and uneven interoperability. The digital divide and unequal access can limit benefit. Reimbursement, regulation, and the need for training and change management influence adoption.

Globally, eHealth strategies are promoted to strengthen health systems and move toward universal health coverage. Adoption varies by region and is influenced by infrastructure, policy, and public health needs; events such as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated deployment of telehealth and digital monitoring.