ABSTRACT

E-Health can improve the access and reach of health services to include those sections of the community who can be otherwise excluded due to factors such as advanced age, having English as a second language, or remote location. However, great care must be taken with the design and implementation of e-health technologies, as the same groups often suffer from a lack of digital skills and access to digital technologies. The practical examples in this chapter will demonstrate how well-designed e-health initiatives that have simple user interfaces, and “ambient” sensing technologies can drive both better health outcomes and improved levels of social engagement. Society can also benefit from efficiency gains that allow health-care professionals to address the needs of more people, particularly in rural and remote areas with clinical skill shortages.