eHealth handbook for managers of healthcare services and systems

Prefacio de Alicia Bárcena y Luciano Sáez

The eHealth Handbook for Managers of Health Systems and Services is the result of the collaboration of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Spanish Society of Health Informatics (SEIS). It has been developed in the framework of the Programme @LIS2 -Alliance for the Information Society 2 – Inclusive political dialogue and exchange of experiences of the European Union. It also represents the IX SEIS Report. The incorporation of information and communications technology (ICT) into health systems (eHealth) facilitates the concurrence of social and economic impact objectives. Information technology tools can enhance the quality, safety and continuity of healthcare, especially in Latin America where the priority is to improve patients’ access. It also allows controlling costs, optimizing processes as well as reallocating resources. This handbook discusses almost all the fields in which ICT can be applied, clarifying concepts, pointing out benefits and explaining requirements. It is intended to facilitate decision-making processes concerning the incorporation of ICT into public policies and strategies in the area of health and healthcare.