ABSTRACT
Digital health, it is claimed by proponents, will make healthcare systems and practices more effective, efficient and ‘seamless’ and thereby, it is claimed or assumed, improve health outcomes and care as well as ‘empowering’ citizens and providing the foundation for wealth creation. Despite the difficulties of implementing electronic health record systems, and problems associated with using them in clinical decision-making, policymakers’ enthusiasm for the adoption of digital health technologies has remained steadfast. The claim that digital health will transform the quality of healthcare is, on the face of it, the strongest argument for investment in related technologies, infrastructure and expertise. The dangers associated with digital health mentioned, such as the monetizing and harvesting of personal data, growing surveillance and data breaches, are already in evidence. The chapter also presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book.
