eHealth: Current Evidence, Promises, Perils, and Future Directions

This special volume contributes to the growing body of eHealth research, presenting a selection of multidisciplinary studies on the role and impacts of technology and the Internet in health communication, healthcare delivery, and patient self-management. Empirical evidence is needed to examine the use and impacts of eHealth technologies and inform targeted health communication interventions. Chapters explore social determinants, unintended consequences, self-tracking, credibility assessments, and the future potential of eHealth in addressing underserved communities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2018
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

This special volume makes a significant contribution to the expanding field of eHealth research, presenting a diverse collection of multidisciplinary studies exploring the role and consequences of technology and the Internet in health communication, healthcare delivery, and patient self-management. The widespread adoption of the Internet and new communication technologies has exerted a profound influence on virtually every facet of contemporary society. These innovations hold immense potential to enhance healthcare systems and empower individuals to gain a deeper understanding of their health and effectively manage their healthcare needs. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the associated risks associated with the utilization of eHealth technologies.

Empirical evidence is urgently required to thoroughly examine the use and effects of eHealth technologies and to inform targeted health communication interventions. The chapters in this volume delve into both established and emerging challenges associated with technology-enabled care. These challenges encompass the enduring impact of social determinants on shaping Digital Divides in access and utilization of eHealth technologies, the unintended consequences of electronic medical records and pagers on healthcare professionals' ability to manage their work schedules, and the potential exacerbation of gendered norms related to the body and health through self-tracking and quantification.

Additional chapters offer updated insights into trends in and predictors of individuals' trust in health information channels, the process of assessing the credibility of online health information, the influence of personality traits on perceived benefits in participating in online support groups, and the impact of online health resources on individuals' sense of empowerment and utilization of healthcare services. Furthermore, the chapters explore the future potential of eHealth in addressing the needs of underserved communities and provide guidance for developing innovative technology-enabled intervention strategies.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 160 x 238 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787543225