Electronic health applications in primary medical health care: Advantages and expectations

The term electronic health (e-Health) describes the utilization of informatics technology and telecommunications in the services provided by health professionals. Included in the framework of e-Health are programs, systems and services that exceed simple applications based on the Internet and which are addressed at both health professionals and patient-users of health services. These comprise organized networks of health information, electronic health records, electronic health cards, e-prescription, telemedicine, tele-counseling, tele-monitoring, personal portable communication systems and mobile phones. This article analyzes the e-Health forms and the benefits derived from them, and outlines the extent of the contribution of e-Health applications to the provision of optimal primary health care services by health professionals in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, quality and equality of accessibility. The introduction of e-Health in primary health care aims at the utilization of technological achievements to achieve the best possible prevention, diagnosis, treatment, observation and management of the health and lifestyle of the population. The key elements which will determine the success of e-Health are its measurable results, the guarantee of a broad consensus, and commitment of the leadership to its implementation.