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Health Literacy, eHealth, and Communication


Many observers believe that the use of emerging interactive health information technologies, often referred to as eHealth,1 can help to improve the quality, capacity, and efficiency of the health care system. eHealth has the potential to improve access to the health care system for traditionally underserved populations and to increase the capacity to pro- vide tailoring and customization for individual patients and consumers (Ahern et al., 2006). eHealth systems can also improve clinical decision making and adherence to clinical guidelines; provide reminder systems for patients and clinicians, thereby improving compliance with preven- tive service protocols; provide more immediate access to laboratory and radiology results; and, when integrated with clinical decision support systems, help to prevent many errors and adverse events (IOM, 2003). While eHealth has many potential benefits, some observers have expressed concern that these systems could increase health care dispari- ties by helping mainly those individuals and communities with greater resources. Recent reports show that health care disparities do exist between advantaged and underserved populations (IOM, 2002). Under- served populations generally include ethnic minorities, people in lower

Lyla M. Hernandez - Personal Name
978-0-309-12642-7
NONE
Healthcare Management
English
2009
1-127
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