Integrating and Safeguarding Care: The Potential Role of Health Information Technologies

Abstract

The increasing burden of chronic diseases is one of the greatest challenges healthcare systems globally are facing. Across the world, compelling demands can be found for a fundamental shift in the organisation of health and social care to meet the needs of chronic patients. Integrated care has gathered momentum to overcome fragmentation of care in order to create care systems which are demand-driven, client-centred and cost-conscious. Health information technology – often referred to as eHealth – is usually considered to be an essential building brick of integrated care. Moreover, health information technology is said to hold potential for improving patient safety in chronic care settings. The current perspective paper explores the role of health information technology in integrating and safeguarding care. We argue that health information technology – which supports integrated care – may create optimal conditions to improve patient safety, but only when well-implemented, state-of-the-art technologies are used.