eHealth advances in support of people with complex care needs: Case examples from Canada, Scotland and the US

Steele Gray, C., Mercer, S. , Palen, T., McKinstry, B. and Hendry, A. (2016) eHealth advances in support of people with complex care needs: Case examples from Canada, Scotland and the US. Healthcare Quarterly, 19(2), pp. 24-28. (doi: 10.12927/hcq.2016.24696)

Abstract

Information technology (IT) in healthcare, also referred to as eHealth technologies, may offer a promising solution to the provision of better care and support for people who have multiple conditions and complex care needs, and their caregivers. eHealth technologies can include electronic medical records, telemonitoring systems and web-based portals, and mobile health (mHealth) technologies that enable information sharing between providers, patients, clients and their families. IT often acts as an enabler of improved care delivery, rather than being an intervention per se. But how are different countries seeking to leverage adoption of these technologies to support people who have chronic conditions and complex care needs? This article presents three case examples from Ontario (Canada), Scotland and Kaiser Permanente Colorado (United States) to identify how these jurisdictions are currently using technology to address multimorbidity. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis is presented for each case and a final discussion addresses the future of eHealth for complex care needs. The case reports presented in this manuscript mark the foundational work of the Multi-National eHealth Research Partnership Supporting Complex Chronic Disease and Disability (the eCCDD Network); a CIHR-funded project intended to support the international development and uptake of eHealth tools for people with complex care needs.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hendry, Dr Anne and Mercer, Professor Stewart
• Authors: Steele Gray, C., Mercer, S., Palen, T., McKinstry, B., and Hendry, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Healthcare Quarterly
• Publisher: Longwoods Publishing
• ISSN: 1710-2774
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Longwoods Publishing
• First Published: First published in Healthcare Quarterly 19(2):24-28
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher