Exploring public perspectives on e-health: findings from two citizen juries

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Growing global investment in e-health contrasts with limited public engagement in healthcare planning.
• Calls for increased public involvement in shaping healthcare services and digital health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore barriers and facilitators to e-health implementation from the perspective of health service users.
• To identify priorities for future e-health research based on lay representatives' views.
• To assess public acceptance and concerns regarding e-health adoption in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two modified citizen juries, a deliberative public engagement method.
• Informed participants and facilitated "cross-examination" of information on e-health.
• Gathered perspectives from health service users and lay representatives on e-health development.

Main Results:

• Citizen jury participants strongly supported e-health development, viewing it as inevitable.
• E-health was preferred as an enhancement to, rather than a substitute for, existing face-to-face services.
• Concerns were raised about potential negative impacts of inappropriate e-health implementation; universal access and clinical/economic benefits were key considerations.

Conclusions:

• Citizen juries demonstrated broad support for e-health development, emphasizing its role in augmenting, not replacing, traditional healthcare services.
• One-day citizen juries were found to be a practical and effective method for public engagement on e-health issues.
• Future e-health research should prioritize demonstrating clear clinical and economic advantages to ensure public trust and adoption.