%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I Gunther Eysenbach
%V 14
%N 1
%P e34
%T Scope of Policy Issues in eHealth: Results From a Structured Literature Review
%A Khoja,Shariq
%A Durrani,Hammad
%A Nayani,Parvez
%A Fahim,Ammad
%+ AKDN eHealth Resource Centre, The Aga Khan University, 3rd Parklands Avenue, Nairobi, PO Box 30270-00100, Kenya, 254 20  3662236, shariq.khoja@aku.edu
%K eHealth
%K eHealth policies
%K telehealth
%K telemedicine
%K health informatics
%K electronic health records
%K health telematics
%K guidelines
%K standards
%D 2012
%7 17.02.2012
%9 Original Paper
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X Background: eHealth is widely used as a tool for improving health care delivery and information. However, distinct policies and strategies are required for its proper implementation and integration at national and international levels. Objective: To determine the scope of policy issues faced by individuals, institutions, or governments in implementing eHealth programs. Methods: We conducted a structured review of both peer-reviewed and gray literature from 1998–2008. A Medline search for peer-reviewed articles found 40 papers focusing on different aspects of eHealth policy. In addition, a Google search found 20 national- and international-level policy papers and documents. We reviewed these articles to extract policy issues and solutions described at different levels of care. Results: The literature search found 99 policy issues related to eHealth. We grouped these issues under the following themes: (1) networked care, (2) interjurisdictional practice, (3) diffusion of eHealth/digital divide, (4) eHealth integration with existing systems, (5) response to new initiatives, (6) goal-setting for eHealth policy, (7) evaluation and research, (8) investment, and (9) ethics in eHealth. Conclusions: We provide a list of policy issues that should be understood and addressed by policy makers at global, jurisdictional, and institutional levels, to facilitate smooth and reliable planning of eHealth programs. 
%M 22343270
%R 10.2196/jmir.1633
%U http://www.jmir.org/2012/1/e34/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.1633
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22343270