E-HEALTH STRATEGIES AND APPLICATIONS

E-HEALTH+STRATEGIES+AND+APPLICATIONS%0d%0aWSIS+ACCARA%3a+E-HEALTH+PRESENTATION+30+JANUARY%2c+2005+DR.+LAWRENCE+KWEKU+YAMUAH+AHRI%2fALERT%2c+Addis+Ababa%2c+Ethiopia+ATAC+IV+MEMBER%0d%0ayamuahlk%40yahoo.co.uk%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cOVERVIEW%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+BACKGROUND+%26+DEFINITIONS+%e2%80%a2+E-HEALTH+APPLICATION+IN+HEALTHCARE+DELIVERY+%e2%80%a2+CHALLENGES+IN+E-HEALTH+%e2%80%a2+E-HEALTH+STRATEGIES+%e2%80%a2+ACTION+PLANS+%e2%80%a2+DISCUSSION+AND+CONCLUSION%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cBACKGROUND+%26+DEFINITION%0d%0a%0d%0a(1)%0d%0a%0d%0aE-HEALTH+is+defined+as%3a+Application+of+the+Internet+and+other+related+technologies+in+the+healthcare+industry+to+improve+the+%e2%80%a2+access%2c+efficiency%2c+effectiveness+and+quality+of+clinical+and+business+processes+utilized+by+healthcare+organizations%2c+practitioners%2c+patients+and+consumers+to+%e2%80%a2+Improve+the+health+status+of+patients.+E-Health+%3d+Health%e2%80%99s+version+of+e-commerce%3a+thus+conducting+health+business+electronically+E-Health+%3d+ICT+in+Health+Sector%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cROLE+OF+ICT+IN+HEALTH%0d%0a%0d%0a(1)%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+ICTs+provide+opportunities+for+individuals%2c+medical+professionals+and+healthcare+providers+to%0d%0a%e2%80%93+obtain+information%2c+%e2%80%93+communicate+with+professionals%2c+%e2%80%93+deliver+first-line+support+especially+where+distance+is+a+critical+factor+and+%e2%80%93+promote+preventive+medicine+programmes.%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Therefore%2c+LDC+especially+in+Africa+can+benefit+from+using+ICTs+to+improve+healthcare.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cAPPLICATION+OF+ICT+IN+HEALTH%0d%0a%0d%0a(2)%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+At+Referral+Hospitals%2fRegional+Hospitals%2f+District%2fSubdistrict%2f+Health+Centres+%26+delivery+units%2c+ICT+enable%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%93+more+effective+planning%2c+decision-making+and+monitoring+%e2%80%93+improved+shared+service+operations+%e2%80%93+greater+access+to+more+reliable+H+%26+P+data%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%93+more+effective+resource+management%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cAPPLICATION+OF+ICT+IN+HEALTH%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+At+service+providers+level%2c+ICT+can+enable%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%93+efficient+movement+of+necessary+data+to+clinicians%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+integration+of+clinical+information+across+the+health+system+%e2%80%a2+consistent+and+shared+views+of+patient+data%0d%0a%0d%0a(3)%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%93+matching+of+resources+to+activity+levels+through+relevant+up-to-date+information%3b+%e2%80%93+reliable+and+timely+evidence-based+decision-making%3b%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cAPPLICATION+OF+ICT+IN+HEALTH%0d%0a%0d%0a(4)%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Particular+value+for+patients+from+improved+information+systems+include%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%93+development+%26+use+of+electronic+patient+records+leading+to%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+electronic+shareable+health+record%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%93+multi-media+decision+support+systems+%e2%80%93+remote+monitoring%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%93+updating+patient+notes+using+wireless+Personal+Digital+Assistants+(PDA)%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cAPPLICATION+OF+ICT+IN+HEALTH%0d%0a%0d%0a(5)%0d%0a%0d%0aSecretary+General+of+UNECA+Bamako+2000+Conference+of+the+AISI+stated+that%3a+%e2%80%a2+Africa+is+at+an+early+stage+of+using+ICT+to+improve+the+delivery+of+health+care.%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Investment+in+ICT+in+the+HS+could+complement+basic+health+services+through%0d%0a%e2%80%93+enhancement+of+administration%2c+%e2%80%93+Access+to+information+and+decision-support+systems+for+curative+and+preventive+health+and+%e2%80%93+improved+distribution+of+medical+supplies.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cPLANNING+AHEAD%0d%0aPeter+Drucker+(1994%2c+p62)+stated+that%3a+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%9c+Developing+Countries+can+no+longer+expect+to+base+their+development+on+their+comparative+labour+advantage.+The+competitive+advantage+that+now+counts+is+the+application+of+knowledge.%e2%80%9d+%e2%80%a2+Challenges+need+to+be+identified+and+addressed%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+CHALLENGES%0d%0a5+main+areas+of+e-health+challenges%3a+%e2%80%a2+Information+-+Inaccurate+and+Incomplete%0d%0a%0d%0a(1)%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Human+Resources+-+(Inadequate+or+Brain+Drained)%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Infrastructure%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Quality+and+Security+of+data+and+legal+issues+%e2%80%a2+Financial+and+sustainability+issues%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+CHALLENGES%0d%0a%0d%0a(2)%0d%0a%0d%0aHealth+sector+and+e-health+is+facing+great+challenges+in%3a%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%a2%0d%0a%0d%0aRising+cost+Growing+demands+from+consumers+-+patients%2c+citizens+Demographic+changes%2c+ageing+population%2c+diseases+etc+Fundamental+change+to+the+way+healthcare+is+delivered+Keeping+up+with+rapid+advance+of+technology+Determining+quality+and+effects+of+e-health+applications+Developing+credible+information+sources+on+research+tools+and+findings.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+CHALLENGES%0d%0a%0d%0a(3)%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Creating+ICT+technologists+and+technicians+in+health+sector+at+all+levels+%e2%80%a2+Attitudes+about+use+of+ICT%2fe-health+technologies+%e2%80%a2+Time+-+Man%e2%80%99s+greatest+enemy+%e2%80%a2+Achieving+consensus+%e2%80%a2+Lack+of+investment+in+technology+in+healthcare+sector+%e2%80%a2+Lack+of+Stakeholder+participation+Solutions+are+needed+to+solve+these+challenges.+How+can+e-health+help+to+meet+health+sector+challenges%3f%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cAfrica%e2%80%99s+E-Health+Vision+%26+Strategies%0d%0aVISION%3a+Africa%e2%80%99s+e-health+vision+is+to+ensure+the+delivery+of+the+right+information+about+the+right+individual+to+the+right+person+at+the+right+place+at+the+right+time+to+enhance+health+outcomes+and+improve+system+efficiency.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cAfrica%e2%80%99s+E-Health+Vision+%26+Strategies%0d%0aSTRATEGY%3a+E-health+is+about+modernizing+health+system+methods+and+technologies+to+increase+the+quality%2c+safety%2c+timeliness%2c+and+efficiency+of+health+service+to+all+Africans.+The+Strategy%2c+therefore+is+to+deal+with+ehealth+as+a+long+term+project+requiring+clarity%2c+ownership+of+direction%2c+strong+collaboration+and+accountability+among+all+key+stakeholders%2c+and+attention+to+specific+achievable+deliverables.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+STRATEGIES+(1)%0d%0aStrategies+(1)%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Strong+leadership+required+to+solve+conflicts+between+and+within+organizations.+%e2%80%a2+Skill+development+and+adoption+of+new+practices%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Need+to+create+ICT+Portals+in+order+to%3a+%e2%80%a2+Improve+patient-provider+communication%0d%0a%e2%80%93+%e2%80%93+%e2%80%93+%e2%80%93+Contain+cost+Provide+reliable+health+information+Reduce+medical+errors+Enhance+efficiency%3b+access%2c+utilization+and+collaboration%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+STRATEGIES+(2)%0d%0aStrategies+(2)%3a%0d%0aE-Awareness%2fTraining+%e2%80%a2+Build+ICT+Awareness%2fSkills+on+the+potentials+of+ICTs+for+E-Health+in+the+sector+through+introduction+of+ICT+curriculum+in+all+health+training+institutions+including+medical+and+research+institutions%2c+nurses+training+institutions%2c+medical+technologists+schools+and+retraining+of+already+qualified+medical+practitioners.+Budgets+for+Sustainability+%e2%80%a2+Ensure+integration+of+ICT+in+all+budgetary+processes+and+approach+to+health+management+to+ensure+sustainability%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+STRATEGY+(3)%0d%0aStrategies+(3)%3a%0d%0aInternet+Protocol+(IP)+%e2%80%a2+Harnessing+the+potentials+of+IP+by+developing+policies+for+sharing+of+patient+medical+information+through+the+use+of+ICT+while+taking+into+consideration+issues+of+trust%2c+confidentiality+and+security+of+patient+information+and+ensuring+its+timely+delivery+as+it+affects+life+or+death+situation+of+the+individual.+E-Environment+%e2%80%a2+Promoting+the+establishment+of+favourable+legal+and+policy+environment+for+e-Health.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+ACTION+PLANS+(1)%0d%0aAction+Plans+(1)%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Set+up+an+ICT+Task+Force+%e2%80%a2+Carry+Out+survey+of+ICT+facilities+%26+usage+in+HS+%e2%80%a2+Set+up+pilot+ICT+driven+health+projects+to+demonstrate+effectiveness+of+ICT+%e2%80%a2+Design+projects+that+build+synergies+with+other+health+sectors+to+achieve+PEAP+%26+MDG+objectives.+%e2%80%a2+Identify+ICT+training+requirements+%e2%80%a2+Establish+ICT+qualifications+into+the+medical+practitioners%e2%80%99+qualification+criteria.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+ACTION+PLANS+(2)%0d%0aAction+Plans+(2)%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Develop+and+promote+projects+to+establish+ICT+access+points+at+different+levels+of+health+delivery.+%e2%80%a2+Review+the+existing+policies+for+sharing+of+medical+information+%26+identify+gaps+on+unique+needs.+%e2%80%a2+Tune+existing+ICT+applications+in+health+to+fully+address+gender+and+disability+issues.+%e2%80%a2+In+collaboration+with+women+organisations+and+disabled+groups%2c+develop+ICT+projects+that+specifically+address+women+and+disability+issues.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+ACTION+PLANS+(3)%0d%0aAction+Plans+(3)%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Create+an+e-health+vision+and+strategy+designed+for+broader+and+ongoing+consultation.+%e2%80%a2+Identify+targeted+investments+in+key+initiative+areas+and+collaborate+with.+%e2%80%a2+Develop+funding+strategies+to+support+e-health+initiatives+%e2%80%a2+Develop+a+governance+framework+to+co-ordinate+and+integrate+e-health+strategies.+%e2%80%a2+Create+an+e-health+office+that+will+ensure+co-ordination%2c+integration+and+monitor+delivery+of+all+e-health+initiatives%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-Health+Strategies%3a+DISCUSSION%0d%0aDiscussion+(1)%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+The+health+sector+is+an+information+intensive+sector+%e2%80%a2+Improvements+in+healthcare+can+occur+only+if+e-health+technologies+are+applied+as+enabling+tools+for+reorganization+and+supported+by+the+necessary+skills+%e2%80%a2+Re-organization+and+reforms+needed+%e2%80%a2+Many+achievements+to+date+in+research+and+development%0d%0a%e2%80%93+Still+needed+-+standardization+and+interoperability%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Evaluate+the+appropriateness+of+existing+ICT+applications+in+the+sector+based+on+impact+and+effectiveness+on+the+delivery+of+health+services.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-Health+Strategies%3a+DISCUSSION%0d%0aDiscussion+(2)%3a+Security+Threats%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Identification+is+one+of+the+BIG+Challenges+in+e-health+%e2%80%a2+Knowing+who+you+are+dealing+with+remains+a+major+concern+for+e-health+services+on+the+Internet.+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%9cOn+the+Internet%2c+nobody+knows+if+you%e2%80%99re+a+dog+%e2%80%a6%e2%80%9d+%e2%80%a2+%e2%80%a6+but+in+e-health%2c+it+is+important+to+Know+if+you+are+dealing+with+a+dog.+(Alexander+NTOKO)+%e2%80%a2+Knowing+that+the+person+behind+the+computer+(or+IT+equipment)+is+a+real+doctor+and%2for+an+authorized+medical+personnel.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-Health+Strategies%3a+DISCUSSION%0d%0aDiscussion+(3)%3a+Security+Threats%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Being+sure+of+the+source%2forigin+of+the+medical+information+transmitted+via+the+Internet+%e2%80%a2+Making+sure+that+medical+records+can+only+be+modified+by+authorized+personnel.%0d%0a%0d%0aConfidentiality+%e2%80%a2+Information+accessed+only+by+those+authorized.+Access+Control%2fAuthorization+%e2%80%a2+Originator+cannot+deny+origin.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cIMPORTANCE+OF+CONFERENCE+(16)%0d%0aTo+progress+from%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%9cTechnology+development%e2%80%9d+to+%e2%80%9cSolution%e2%80%9d+phase%0d%0awhere+e-health+system+and+services+are+the+enabling+tools+to+the+reforms+and+re-organisations%0d%0a%0d%0aby%3a%e2%80%a2+exchanging+experiences+%e2%80%a2+looking+at+benefits+of+e-health+applications+%e2%80%a2+reinforcing+the+strategies+deploying+e-health+as+solutions+to+meet+the+health+sector+challenges%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-AFRICA+2005+AND+BEYOND%0d%0aConference+seen+as+a+milestone+of+the+e-Africa+2005+effort+towards+the+Information+society+for+All%2c+where%3a+%e2%80%a2+Health+sector+enjoys+the+benefits+of+the+e-health+tools+and+the+productivity+gains+it+generates+%e2%80%a2+African+citizens+will+have+better+services+and+better+value+for+money%0d%0a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+The+ICT+sector+enjoys+the+sustainable+market+development+in+relevant+support+tools+and+services.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH%3a+THE+BIG+QUESTION%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+The+Wealth+of+a+Nation+is+the+health+of+its+people+Question%3a+%e2%80%a2+Has+Africa+made+enough+effort+in+examining+ways+and+means+of+providing+the+infrastructure+to+connect+the+health+community+and+providing+access+to+information+relevant+to+the+health+needs+of+the+region%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+STR%3a+CONCLUSION%0d%0aConclusion%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+E-health+(ICTs)+present+many+potential+benefits+and+challenges%3b+thus%2c+potential+for+explosive+growth+%e2%80%a2+To+realize+the+benefits%2c+the+challenges+mentioned+must+be+overcome+%e2%80%a2+Human+resource+development+related+to+ICT+in+health+is+a+huge+area+that+is+critical+to+the+successful+application+of+ICT+in+the+sector.+%e2%80%a2+Skills+in+information+systems+design+and+implementation+are+critical+to+successful+application+of+ICT+in+the+sector.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH+STR%3a+CONCLUSION%0d%0aConclusion%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Progress+is+being+made%2c+but+before+e-health+can+emerge+there+must+be+improved+reliability+and+robustness.+%e2%80%a2+If+e-health+is+to+flourish+in+Africa%2c+it+needs+to+be+staged+and+nurtured.+We+need+to+build+on+our+own+local+skills+and+infrastructure%2c+based+on+local+demand.+%e2%80%a2+The+careful+selection+of+solutions+is+important+-+we+should+only+take+the+best+from+elsewhere.+There+are+many+initiatives%2c+and+only+a+few+will+survive.+%e2%80%a2+Africa+should+ensure+that+e-health+becomes+an+integral+part+of+health+organizations+-+bricks+and+clicks.+%e2%80%a2+Build+competencies+for+e-health%3b+find+%26+retain+skilled+pp%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH%3a+TAKE+HOME+MESSAGES%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+E-health+enhances+access+to+information+%26+resources%2c+empowerment+of+patients+to+make+informed+healthcare+decisions%2c+and+improved+quality%2c+value+%26+patient+satisfaction.+%e2%80%a2+Users+want+credible+reliable+information%2c+convenience%2c+accessibility%2c+and+the+assurance+of+privacy.+%e2%80%a2+Leadership+must+demonstrate+our+commitment+to+the+implementation+of+e-health+and+promote+both+concept+and+practical+application+through+participation%2c+allocation+of+resources+and+open+communication.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH%3a+TAKE+HOME+MESSAGE%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+Vision+must+be+translated+into+a+strategy+which+incorporates+action%2c+evaluation%2c+and+accountability+%e2%80%a2+More+people+(than+150%2c000+in+Tsunami+disaster)+die+each+day+in+Africa+but+continent+receives+less+than+1%2f100th+of+aid+provided+for+the+disaster%3b+%e2%80%a2+Help+Africans+to+LIVE+DECENTLY+not+to+DIE+GRACEFULLY+%e2%80%a2+Poverty+and+Health+are+linked+somehow%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cE-HEALTH%3a+TAKE+HOME+MESSAGE%0d%0a%0d%0aMain+Message%3a%0d%0a%e2%80%a2+To+meet+the+goals+of+poverty+eradication+programmes+of+many+African+countries+as+well+as+the+millenium+development+goals+(MDG)%2c+our+socio-economic+thinking+must+tag+along+with+the+improvement+in+the+health+sector+with+the+e-health%2fICT+tools.%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cTHANK+YOU+!+UNECA+(DSID)%0d%0aAida+Opoku-Mensah+Makane+Faye+Kidist+Beleyani%0d%0a%0d%0a%0cTHANK+YOU+!+ALL+!!!%0d%0a%0d%0a%0c