E-Health

E-Health (pronounced /ˈiːˈhɛlθ/), also known as Electronic Health, is a broad term that refers to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for health services and information. The term is relatively recent and is used interchangeably with Health Informatics, although E-Health is often understood to mean more than just computer applications in health care.

Etymology

The term "E-Health" was first used in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the rise of the internet and the proliferation of digital technologies. The "E" in E-Health stands for "electronic," similar to how it is used in other terms like e-commerce and e-learning.

Related Terms

• Telemedicine: This is the use of telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical health care from a distance. It has been used to overcome distance barriers and to improve access to medical services that would often not be consistently available in distant rural communities.
• Health Informatics: This is the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of IT-based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management, and planning.
• mHealth: This is the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices.
• Electronic Health Record (EHR): This is a digital version of a patient's paper chart. EHRs are real-time, patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users.

See Also

• Digital Health
• Health Information Technology
• Telehealth

References

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