Dear members,

We do hear a lot about eHealth. Countries are adopting eHealth policies,
investing on infrastructure and human resources to improve the health care
system. But what does that really mean? What are the indicators to eHealth
development through which we can measure the performance of a country. Is
there any matrix available?

Bytesforall 'ICT for health' network (http://ictforhealth.ning.com/) is
working to investigate available studies, thoughts around this topic and
will collect and compile a list of indicators on eHealth.We can then use
these indicators to see how countries are doing as per this list of
indicators. For example, EU has already done a study and have taken into
account the following variables as part of indicators:

1. Electronic storage of individual administrative patient data,
2. Electronic storage of individual medical patient data
3. Use of a computer during consultation with the patient
4. Use of a decision support system
5. Transfer of lab results from laboratory
6. Transfer of administrative patient data to reimburses or other care
providers
7. Transfer of medical patient data to other care providers or
professionals
8. ePrescribing (transfer of prescription to pharmacy

What do you think? Do you think developing countries should customize a
different set of indicators? Please join the network to post your thoughts
or to point us to relevant and existing resources on the topic. You
participation is necessary to make this eHealth indicator study a relevant
and useful one.

Best wishes,

ICT and health network

Visit 'ICT for Health' Network at: http://ictforhealth.ning.com