Global Observatory for eHealth series - Volume 1
This publication presents data on the 114 WHO Member States that participated in the 2009 global survey on eHealth. Intended as a reference to the state of eHealth development in Member States, the publication highlights selected indicators in the form of country profiles. The objectives of the country profiles are to: describe the current status of the use of ICT for health in Member States; and provide information concerning the progress of eHealth applications in these countries.

eHealth is a relatively recent healthcare practice that leverages electronic processes and communication to manage healthcare information. eHealth involves simplifying processes related to information, communication and transactions within and between healthcare institutions and professionals by utilizing information and telecommunications technologies.

The health sector holds an important place in our societies, as evidenced by funds appropriated to it, the role the state plays, and the large number of associated parties with various functions that it connects. Because medical advances have resulted in increased life expectancies, and because citizens are being actively encouraged to take personal responsibility for their health, the number of people in need of medical care has increased.

The health system in New Zealand is based on the fundamental philosophy that healthcare should be provided to those who need it, when they need it. With a strong focus on primary care, New Zealand's health sector is internationally recognised as a provider of high quality, trusted services that are delivered cost-effectively.

Lorraine Fernandes, RHIA
Scott Schumacher, PhD
The healthcare industry is moving toward a future where the electronic exchange of health data will be commonplace. As we enter this new world, there is an increased need to accurately identify an individual across jurisdictions or care-settings so that healthcare providers have a solid foundation for sharing patient health information and providing safer, more cost effective treatment.

Much has been written about why electronic health (eHealth) initiatives fail. Less attention has been paid to why evaluations of such initiatives fail to deliver the insights expected of them. PLoS Medicine has published three papers offering a "robust" and "scientific" approach to eHealth evaluation. One recommended systematically addressing each part of a "chain of reasoning", at the centre of which was the program's goals. Another proposed a quasi-experimental step-wedge design, in which late adopters of eHealth innovations serve as controls for early adopters.

The aim of this special edition of "The European Files" is to help take stock of the development of telemedicine, in all its diverse forms, and in a range of different environments. It is a collection of accounts and analyses by political and industrial decision-makers, patients and professional healthcare representatives, who seem to be best-placed to communicate messages that are both brief and easily understandable to all audiences.