APDIP e-Note 22 on e-Health

e-Health, defined as the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in health care, is emerging as a field of great potential when it comes to dealing with some of the critical problems the health sector in many Asia-Pacific countries are facing. e-Health can contribute to solutions in such different areas as lack of specialized staff, shortage of medical expertise in rural areas, limited access to medical education and scarce data on health-related issues. e-Health also has the potential of enabling women and men in communities to actively participate in and engage with their own health situation.

There is, however, a need to be cautious: e-Health may help to address significant health problems, but it does not solve them on its own. Furthermore, many e-Health tools can be very expensive to acquire, demand maintenance and adjustment, and require specific skills in using the tools, adding to their overall costs. This APDIP e-Note takes a look at the potentials, pitfalls and challenges of e-Health in the Asia-Pacific region, and identifies a number of different approaches policy makers and practitioners can take in order to enhance the effective use of appropriate e-Health tools for the best-suited health purposes.

This APDIP e-Note provides an overview of the benefits and challenges of some of the most used e-Health tools. Important lessons learned in e-Health in the Asia-Pacific region are highlighted through three case studies from Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. The APDIP e-Note also examines different approaches to e-Health, such as the use of free and open source software and the relationship between e-Health and the Millennium Development Goals. Finally, considerations for policy makers are discussed.

It is critical to focus on the multi-disciplinary nature of e-Health bringing together researchers from both medicine and IT in a mutually beneficial relationship. Ensuring sustainability of e-Health projects by moving from proof of concept to country- or sector-wide implementation is an emerging challenge. Issues related to security and interoperability also need to be addressed.

APDIP e-Notes are brief snapshots that present analyses of specific issues related to ICT for sustainable human development in the Asia- Pacific region. This online series introduces readers to the who, what, where, why and how of a wide range of current issues related to ICT such as Internet governance, ICT and poverty reduction, e- governance, free and open source software, and many others.

Related Links

APDIP e-Note 22 - e-Health Tools for the Asia-Pacific Region [PDF, 215kB]

Exploring New Modalities: Experiences with Information and Communications Technology Interventions in the Asia-Pacific Region – A Review and Analysis of the Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme, UNDP-APDIP ICT4D Series (see case studies on Health and Medicine)

All APDIP e-Notes

APDIP e-Resources