E-health for all: are we reaching the patients who really need it?
Westerink, J.; Hutten, F.M.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 158: A8159
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 25515387 Document Number: 674187
The introduction and implementation of e-health into our healthcare system may have great benefits. E-health as a means of improving health and lowering healthcare expenditure may be especially efficacious when aimed specifically at older patients and those in lower income groups. However, older patients may not generally feel as comfortable using e-health as younger patients do, and sometimes lack the necessary skills. In addition, patients from lower income groups may not have the necessary access to e-health. New cost-effectiveness analyses of e-health should take into account costs necessary for improving computer skills as well as access to e-health.