SERIES: eHealth in primary care. Part 3: eHealth education in primary care

Background: Education is essential to the integration of eHealth into primary care, but eHealth is not yet embedded in medical education. Objectives: In this opinion article, we aim to support organisers of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and teachers delivering medical vocational training by providing recommendations for eHealth education. First, we describe what is required to help primary care professionals and trainees learn about eHealth. Second, we elaborate on how eHealth education might be provided. Discussion: We consider four essential topics. First, an understanding of existing evidence-based eHealth applications and conditions for successful development and implementation. Second, required digital competencies of providers and patients. Third, how eHealth changes patient-provider and provider-provider relationships and finally, understanding the handling of digital data. Educational activities to address these topics include eLearning, blended learning, courses, simulation exercises, real-life practice, supervision and reflection, role modelling and community of practice learning. More specifically, a CanMEDS framework aimed at defining curriculum learning goals can support eHealth education by

Gebruik van informatietechnologie ter ondersteuning van de mondzorg van thuiswonende ouderen

Ouderen wonen langer zelfstandig en behouden steeds langer hun eigen dentitie. Een slechte mondgezondheid kan een negatieve invloed op de algemene gezondheid hebben. E-health heeft al zijn entree in de gezondheidszorg gemaakt en draagt bij aan de zelfzorg en gedragsverandering van patiënten. Toch wordt e-health in de mondzorgkunde nog beperkt gehanteerd. Artikel over 'Gebruik van informatietechnologie ter ondersteuning van de mondzorg van thuiswonende ouderen' verschenen in Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Tandheelkunde. 2018; 125: 461-46

E-health Applications and Services for Patient Empowerment: Directions for Best Practices in The Netherlands

Objective: E-health may enable the empowerment process for patients, particularly the chronically ill. However, e-health is not always designed with the requirements of patient empowerment in mind. Drawing on evidence-based e-health studies, we propose directions for best practices to develop e-health that promotes patient empowerment. Methods: The concept of patient empowerment in the Dutch setting is discussed first. The prerequisites for patient empowerment are then described and translated into empowerment areas relevant to e-health. Materials: We reviewed Dutch e-health studies that provide insights into what works, and what does not, in e-health. Results: On the basis of the lessons learned from the studies, we propose directions for best practices to develop e-health that promotes patient empowerment. These directions cover various aspects, such as the design and implementation of e-health, its information content and usability, awareness, and acceptance. The studies also indicate the difficulty of establishing that e-health is really dedicated to patient empowerment. Conclusions: Despite the body of knowledge about patient empowerment, as well as the technological visibility of e-health, evidence for best practices in general and for patient empowerment in particular is scarce. We call for a more systematic evaluation of e-health for patient empowerment and more reliable evidence. Beyond the organizational and technical issues involved in e-health, there is also a need to demonstrate its practical benefits to patients. The Netherlands is active in developing sustainable e-health. National initiatives are now in place to support the processes with the aim of establishing the required evidence-based best practices.Innovation SystemsTechnology, Policy and Managemen