eHealth in Europe - Status and Challenges.

OBJECTIVES To present European reflections on the concept of eHealth and emerging challenges related to further development of eHealth in Europe. METHODS A survey with 10 questions was distributed to representatives of the national member associations of the European Federation of Medical Informatics (EFMI). RESULTS The results document a shift from a constricting ICT-orientation to development of the entire health system where eHealth strategies, organizational change, and appropriate technological infrastructure are singled out as important aspects. CONCLUSION There are urgent needs to ensure that eHealth strategies and policies for further design and deployment of eHealth applications support sociable services and innovations in health care.