Reframing Dichotomies

The aim of this chapter is to propose a new way to meaningfully bridge the dichotomy between technological and human concerns in the context of E-health systems. We see ‘Design’ as having the responsibility to ensure that humans can fulfill themselves in the world of things (or technology). First, this chapter raises issues surrounding human-centered design of E-health, caused by three major dichotomies which create imbalances that have caused a lack of true human-centered-ness: (1) the human-user dichotomy, (2) the virtual-physical dichotomy, and (3) the experiential-practical dichotomy. Second, this chapter reframes a categorization of customer, user, person and human, which allows us to discover new aspects of ‘humans’ and of true ‘Human-centered design’. Third, the concept of Tangible Presence in Blended Reality Space, an emerging integration of HCI concerns and Mediated Presence research, is introduced. Finally, the author proposes a new way of approaching human-centered design, what they call Human-Experiential Design, through which the experiential-practical dichotomy is effectively blended. The author believes that this view will be significantly important in attempts to go a further step in the development of better E-health, capitalizing on seamless combinations of the virtual and the physical in blended reality. Such blends will release human beings from the strain that existing dichotomies bring.

Privacy and Security in e-Health Applications

The introduction of e-Health and extramural applications in the personal healthcare domain has raised serious concerns about security and privacy of health data. Novel digital technologies require other security approaches in addition to the traditional “purely physical” approach. Furthermore, privacy is becoming an increasing concern in domains that deal with sensitive information such as healthcare, which cannot absorb the costs of security abuses in the system. Once sensitive information about an individual’s health is uncovered and social damage is done, there is no way to revoke the information or to restitute the individual. Therefore, in addition to legal means, it is very important to provide and enforce privacy and security in healthcare by technological means. In this chapter, the authors analyze privacy and security requirements in healthcare, explain their importance and review both classical and novel security technologies that could fulfill these requirements.

Conceiving Community Knowledge Records as e-Governance Concerns in Wired Healthcare Provision

This article investigates the potential of community knowledge records (CKRs) in the electronic transformation for healthcare provision in Macau. Of specific interest is the electronic governance (e-governance) context to examine the various information and communications technologies (ICTs) for personalized healthcare support, such as the electronic health (or e-health) records (EHR). From a governance perspective, the installation of ICT-based e-health support must begin with the healthcare concerns of citizens. The challenge is to identify the organizational context of e-health provision, lying in the realm of e-governance, and referring mainly to the decisions that define expectations, enable empowerment, and verify performance of the systems involved. The goal of this chapter is to explore the context of citizens’ e-health provision, including the EHRs considered as the digital records of personal medical history, accumulated from cradle to death. Elaborated are the issues of privacy that must be rendered in proper perspective where e-governance is to install a trustworthy electronic system of healthcare administration. The discussion around the e-governance concerns of any attempt to install e-health services based on the legitimate use of personal EHRs, should provide a sense-making perspective to interpret the e-health challenge of the contemporary knowledge society.

From Idea to Use

The objective of the case study presented here was to develop and investigate the use of a novel e-health technology called the Memory Stone. This personal device was intended to be used for storing information and enabling communication with the healthcare information system. It would also serve as an intimate repository during the pregnancy, and as such, function as a learning tool during the course of a pregnancy. Using a participatory design approach, the work was performed in collaboration between a multidisciplinary research team, ten pregnant women, and eight healthcare professionals including midwives, general practitioners and medical specialists. In this chapter, some more or less problematic issues encountered during the case study will be discussed and put forward as topics to be considered in future research concerning e-health technology. This discussion includes areas such as initiative versus creativity, methodological issues, stakeholder interests, and other difficulties when introducing novel information technology in a healthcare context.

Developing a Competitive City through Healthy Decision-Making

This chapter investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with planning for a competitive city. The chapter is based on the assumption that a healthy city is a fundamental prerequisite for a competitive city. Thus, it is critical to examine the local determinants of health and factor these into any planning efforts. The main focus of the chapter is on e-health planning by utilising Web-based geographic decision support systems. The proposed novel decision support system would provide a powerful and effective platform for stakeholders to access essential data for decision-making purposes. The chapter also highlights the need for a comprehensive information framework to guide the process of planning for healthy cities. Additionally, it discusses the prospects and constraints of such an approach. In summary, this chapter outlines the potential insights of using an information science-based framework and suggests practical planning methods as part of a broader e-health approach for improving the health characteristics of competitive cities.

The Protocols of Privileged Information Handling in an E-Health Context

Health authorities need to review the privacy and security of real-life work contexts before pioneering new, privileged information handling protocols as a foundation of a new national e-health scheme.

A Simple Web-Based Image Database System for Facilitating Medical Care in Dermatological Clinics

In Japan, electronic health record systems are gradually becoming popular at large hospitals, but are not yet frequently implemented in clinics. This is due to both prohibitive costs and a lack of interest in checking electronic health records on the part of patients. Doctors also may be opposed to showing patients their health records, as it then may require a doctor to let patients observe images to check for improvement of symptoms at follow-up. In this study, the authors developed a database system of dermatological images accessible to both doctors and patients. In this system, doctors can photograph affected skin areas and tag the images with keywords, such as patient ID or name, disease or diagnosis, symptoms, affected bodily regions, and free wards. The images and keyword tags are transmitted to a database housed on an Internet server. The authors implemented this system on a smartphone for quick and easy access during medical examination and on a tablet terminal for patients to use while waiting in the clinic. Using the tablet terminal, a doctor and patient may check for improvement of symptoms together.

RFID Applications in E-Healthcare

Pervasive healthcare is the ultimate goal of all healthcare facilities and e-healthcare is the most talked about medical assistance these days. Healthcare organizations are exploiting RFID to maximize use of tools and equipment, keep tabs on medicinal drugs, boost patient flow and plug gaps in patient safety. RFID technology has become a hot topic in all scientific areas and is entitled as a major enabling technology for the automation of many work processes involved in the health sector. This chapter talks about many singular RFID applications that have been successfully developed or are in development, particularly the ones designed for the healthcare industry. It also discusses issues related to technology and healthcare and measures to overcome them. Furthermore, the chapter gives insight on the future of RFID technology and what more it has to offer to the healthcare community in the future.

Information Technology and Resistance to Public Sector Reforms

The objective of the chapter is to discuss how Information Technology can mitigate constraints to policy implementations stemming from a highly contested context. Main recommendations have been drawn by discussing main challenges met by Kenya in the restructuring of its health Information Systems as demanded by health sector reforms. The discussion will focus on how Information Technology can be used to limit the drawbacks of a highly contested policy context, mediate between global and local interests, and mitigate resistance to change. The chapter concludes with main recommendations on how to extend research on the implications of software designs in implementing public sector reforms and other policies in developing countries.

The Evolving Role of Pharmacoinformatics in Targeting Drug-Related Problems in Clinical Oncology Practice

The rapid growth of the internet and the World Wide Web has led to the development of pharmacoinformatics technologies to assist oncology healthcare professionals in delivering optimum pharmaceutical care and health-related outcomes. The proliferation of online health information has also empowered patients with cancer with the knowledge to better participate in the management of their own condition. This chapter introduces the evolving roles of pharmacoinformatics in oncology and discusses some problems that have arisen due to these technologies. Various pharmacoinformatics channels for practitioners and patients are described together with drug interaction parameters that are clinically relevant to oncology clinicians. Additionally, this chapter addresses certain quality issues associated with online anticancer drug interactions and proposes several design principles for developers of pharmacoinformatics tools. Finally, readers will be given an insight as to how pharmacoinformatics can be harnessed for the future improvement of pharmaceutical care in patients with chronic diseases such as cancer.