E-Health System: A Study of Components and Practices in Developing Countries

Abstract

E-health systems used in different health setups are rare in developing countries but they consist of the computerization of patient records in hospitals and clinics, document delivery through Internet, information exchange and communication, e-Cards for patient ID, electronic scheduling system, hospital labs and hospital admission, computerized diagnosis and support for treatment. It also provides advanced decision-making and sophisticated use of diagnostic laboratories. Every e-health system establishes a basic ‘infrastructure’ of computers, networks, communications and a technical department filled with IT professionals to continuously uphold and improve the infrastructure, give training to  the doctors & physicians and other medical staff and continuously provide technical support as and when required by them. Given the uncontrollable nature of technical support for e-health systems, developing countries like Pakistan are facing issues in creating full-bodied infrastructural facilities that are both competitive with the external environment and compatible with the internal user requirements. This piece of writing is an effort to highlight some of the main issues in developing countries in connection with adoption and use of e-health systems. Also this study intends to identify some of the prospects for IT-applications in healthcare organizations in countries like Pakistan just for the reduction of their sense of isolation in the world by connecting the doctors’ community online through internet facilities to learn, and do business and carry out organizational processes effectively.

Keywords: ICTs, E-health systems, components (e-health) and practices (e-health).