e-Health Initiatives for Engaging Communities

Maeder A¹*

1. e-Health Research Centre / CSIRO ICT Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Health systems conventionally rely on highly specialised knowledge and services provided by highly trained healthcare professionals, leaving the individual very much dependent on the integrity and capacity of the system for their well being. However, the obligation to cater for people with a wide range of healthcare needs from incidental to serious places severe strain on the system, which detracts from its ability to cope with acute or chronic patients. Increasingly, patients are being encouraged to seek other forms of medical advice, or to take responsibility for elements of their own healthcare, which can help to reduce the burden on the health system significantly. Recently, the introduction of various Information and Communications Technology (ICT) mechanisms within and alongside existing health systems has offered opportunities for different types of community engagement. This paper will present several e-Health examples and case studies.