E-Health Care Information Systems: An Introduction for Students and Professionals

PART ONE

E-HEALTH OVERVIEW

If there were one phrase that could be used to describe the current status of e-health care system evolution, it would be e-health paradigm shift. Hospitals have been downsizing, reducing staff and closing hospital beds. Fiscal economics is playing a key role as governments scrutinize funding for health care services and delivery. New forms of alliances among health providers have also emerged, and new modalities of health service delivery have proliferated. The Internet has played an important role in many of these changes. Patients are becoming empowered e-consumers, demanding greater responsibility and accountability ...