Emerging eHealth Directions in the Philippines

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to provide an overview of research and education initiatives in the Philippines. Moreover, it outlines the various agencies and organizations that spearhead the eHealth projects. METHODS: The researchers utilized internet-based review of literature, key informant interviews and proceedings from two eHealth conferences among Filipino researchers in 2011 organized by the authors. RESULTS: eHealth capacities in the areas of research, education and service have progressed dramatically in the last four decades as a result of improved access to information and communication technology. The National Unified Health Research Agenda initiatives have been led largely by higher educational institutions and organizations specializing in eHealth. Educational reforms have been seen with the establishment of the Masters of Science in Health Informatics, infusion of Nursing Informatics into the nursing undergraduate curriculum and offering of short courses on eHealth. Service- oriented organizations and innovations have also been formulated to meet the needs of the practitioners as information and communication technologies are embedded into the healthcare delivery system. CONCLUSIONS: Experts, researchers, practitioners and enthusiasts have successfully promoted awareness and uplifted the standards in the practice of eHealth in research, education and service. However, three main areas of improvement need to be given priority: (1) Policy and standards creation, (2) capability building and (3) multi-sectoral collaborations.