The future direction of e-health. What are the strenghts and weakness Research Paper

The future direction of e-health. What are the strenghts and weakness of utilizing the internet to manage and dissminate health information - Research Paper Example As such, allowing patients to self-monitor their health data using the internet has various advantages and disadvantages. This paper will address e-health in relation to these contradicting effects. In addition, the paper will discuss the responsibility of the United States on e-health and medical technology from a Christian point of view. E-health information involves the conversion of medical records to electronic records, online medical information for healthcare providers, online medical information for the public, online evaluation and accreditation of public health care websites, online clinical computing systems, and online privacy issues (Natesan, 2005). Although all patients’ information should enjoy confidentiality, it is quite challenging to maintain the confidentiality of this information when it is accessible online. As such, e-health negates the privacy of any patient. Hackers can even access this information and use it against the patients and their family. Investigators can equally access patients and their family’s information without their authority. This information can work against them in a court of law. Moreover, e-health leads to a more competitive environment, thus reducing profits to health care providers, and this leads to health care inflation and puts the going concern of heal th care organizations at risk (Harrison & Lee, 2006). Nevertheless, e-health has numerous benefits. Actually, it avails relevant information to researchers who subsequently use it to understand and develop new treatments methods. The access to this information improves the quality of healthcare for patients and equally accelerates the process of receiving quality healthcare. In addition, it revolutionizes the delivery of medicine and healthcare to patients. Financially, e-health reduces treatment costs and reduces administrative costs, as everything is computerized. Furthermore, e-health will enhance