ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: E-health is considered the single most important revolution in health care since the advent of modern medicine. It is an emerging field of medical informatics, used in the organization and delivery of health services and information. It is expected to improve various aspects of health care. AIMS: To achieve universal health coverage in Lebanon, and to explore e-health implementation in Northern Lebanese hospitals and factors influencing the adoption of recent specialized technology in e-health. METHODS: We adopted an exploratory research method based on a semi-structured questionnaire. The main 14 hospitals in Northern Lebanon were chosen for face-to-face interviews to assess and measure behaviour and knowledge regarding e-health and its implementation. Data were analysed using SPSS software, followed by SWOT analysis. RESULTS: The hospitals surveyed had partly implemented and continuously tried to apply some e-health technologies, but there were no real medical records for patients. Various challenges were faced for full e-health technology implementation in Lebanon: primarily cost, followed by some personnel resistance, lack of legislation and common standards, and the necessity for continual training. CONCLUSION: The majority of hospitals are conscious of the importance of e-health technology and the urgent need to implement these new methods. After the legislative rules are issued, the financial aspects remain the major handicap to full implementation. A major role must be played by the academic institutions to provide appropriate education on e-health in their programmes for future graduates.
