eHealth-as-a-Service (eHaaS): a data-driven decision making approach in Australian context

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Sociotechnical Systems
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Australian Federal Government committed $466.7 million in 2010 to implement personally controlled electronic health records (PCEHR).
• The PCEHR aimed to create a more effective, safer, and patient-centric eHealth system.
• Initial deployment faced significant criticism and low adoption rates within the first year.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the implications of the PCEHR as a foundational element of a national eHealth strategy.
• To explore the sociotechnical challenges hindering the adoption of large-scale eHealth projects.
• To propose a data-driven approach for maximizing the utility of electronic health records.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of government initiatives and public/provider responses.
• Review of adoption rates and critical feedback on the PCEHR.
• Conceptual exploration of eHealth-as-a-Service (eHaaS) for future healthcare models.

Main Results:

• Low adoption rates were driven by public and healthcare provider skepticism regarding utility and safety.
• Government efforts to inflate engagement numbers led to further consumer disillusionment.
• The potential utilitarian benefits of the PCEHR are at risk due to these challenges.

Conclusions:

• The value of patient data in eHealth systems is maximized through integration into clinical processes, not solely data collection.
• A commoditized, data-driven approach is essential for realizing the full potential of electronic health records.
• eHealth-as-a-Service (eHaaS) presents a potential disruptive model for coordinated, individualized healthcare in Australia.