Background Given the pressure on modern healthcare systems, eHealth can offer valuable opportunities. However, understanding the potential and challenges of eHealth in daily practice can be... Show moreBackground Given the pressure on modern healthcare systems, eHealth can offer valuable opportunities. However, understanding the potential and challenges of eHealth in daily practice can be challenging for many general practitioners (GPs) and their staff. Objectives To critically appraise five widely used eHealth applications, in relation to safe, evidence-based and high-quality eHealth. Using these applications as examples, we aim to increase understanding of eHealth among GPs and highlight the opportunities and challenges presented by eHealth. Discussion eHealth applications can support patients while increasing efficiency for GPs. A three-way division (inform, monitor, track; interaction; data utilisation) characterises many eHealth applications, with an increasing degree of complexity depending on the domain. All applications provide information and some have extra functionalities that promote interaction, while data analysis and artificial intelligence may be applied to support or (fully) automate care processes. Applications in the inform domain are relatively easy to use and implement but their impact on clinical outcomes may be limited. More demanding applications, in terms of privacy and ethical aspects, are found in the data utilisation domain and may potentially have a more significant impact on care processes and patient outcomes. When selecting and implementing eHealth applications, we recommend that GPs remain critical regarding preconditions on safe, evidence-based and high-quality eHealth, particularly in the case of more complex applications in the data utilisation domain. Show less
Kleij, R.M.J.J. van der; Kasteleyn, M.J.; Meijer, E.; Bonten, T.N.; Houwink, I.J.F.; Teichert, M.; ... ; Chavannes, N.H. 2019
Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of highly effective treatments, the contemporary burden of disease remains huge.... Show moreCardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of highly effective treatments, the contemporary burden of disease remains huge. Digital health interventions hold promise to improve further the quality and experience of cardiovascular care. This position paper provides a brief overview of currently existing digital health applications in different cardiovascular disease settings. It provides the reader with the most relevant challenges for their large-scale deployment in Europe. The potential role of different stakeholders and related challenges are identified, and the key points suggestions on how to proceed are given. This position paper was developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) e-Cardiology working group, in close collaboration with the ESC Digital Health Committee, the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Heart Failure Association, the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association, the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions and the Council on Hypertension. It relates to the ESC's action plan and mission to play a pro-active role in all aspects of the e-health agenda in support of cardiovascular health in Europe and aims to be used as guiding document for cardiologists and other relevant stakeholders in the field of digital health. Show less
