No turning back - prospects and challenges of eHealth

eHealth is a term referring to tools and services using information and communication technologies (ICTs) that can improve healthcare in many ways, such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and management. The small 'e' in front of the eHealth (original abbreviation for "electronic health") has been given several meaning: 'e' also refers to efficiency, empowerment of patients, evidence-based health care, enabled cross-border communication, and equity access to services, for instance. Furthermore eHealth includes the attitude and commitment to networking and global way of thinking. The purpose of the article is to describe the many-sided eHealth, prospects and challenges, changes in roles of health care staff and patients, and to encourage discussion.