Global eHealth – Measuring Outcomes: Why, What, and How

This 28-page document, prepared for the Making the eHealth Connection: Global Partnerships, Local Solutions conference of 2008 in Bellagio, Italy, intends to provide "perspective to allow workshop participants to understand: 1) why outcomes associated with eHealth applications implemented globally should be measured, 2) what elements of an eHealth initiative might be measured, and 3) how we might, individually and collectively, identify and measure key global eHealth outcome indicators."

The authors recommend that because eHealth data are sparse and there is no global consensus on qualitative or quantitative health indicators for data collection, a “minimum data set” of global eHealth outcome indicators should be identified and agreed upon by consensus, and should be universally applied. Though, as stated here, identifying and gaining consensus on "generic" global eHealth outcome indicators will be difficult, a global eHealth outcome development (GeHOD) framework, a benefits realisation initiative, and definitions for key terms are described in this document.

The document provides the following recommendations:

"#1 That a working group (Global eHealth Outcomes Group) be struck under the auspices of the Global Observatory for eHealth (GOe) to establish process and means for international benchmarking and ongoing monitoring of the impact of eHealth initiatives globally.
#2 That this working group be comprised of representatives from key stakeholder groups, and experts in the area of outcome indicator development.
#3 That this working group be charged to develop or adopt a framework (e.g. Global eHealth Outcome Indicator framework) and process (e.g. Canada Health Infoway Benefits Evaluation process) to guide identification of appropriate outcome indicators.
#4 That this working group be required to collaborate with other stakeholders in order to identify and seek consensus on the application of robust and meaningful global eHealth outcome indicators.
#5 That appropriate support (administrative, financial, and logistical) be identified that provides for a five year term-limited budget for the working group and associated activities as an investment in the sustainability of eHealth initiatives globally.
#6 That the governments of WHO [World Health Organization] member nations engage collaboratively with the working group to ensure support for its findings and recommendations."