«E» come engagement. Il coinvolgimento di pazienti e professionisti come fattore di sviluppo dei processi di eHealth

EHealth is not only the use of information and communication technologies for health, but it is also a way of thinking that can improve local, regional and global healthcare. However, next to the «e» of electronics others «e» such as equity, ethics and empowerment should be considered. If the patient is able to engage in the management of his/her own care through low-tech instruments, it seems especially fruitful to emphasize another «e», namely engagement. Yet, recent studies show that this is also crucial in order to have the right balance among information systems, professional knowledge, and practices engagement of health professionals. After reviewing the relevant national and international literature, the article provides a secondary data analysis of an integrated platform for tele-monitoring, and promoting socializing activities for a group of elderly patients (a pilot project carried out in Northern Italy). The paper focuses on the planning of an eHealth project, the training of different stakeholders, and the extent of health professionals’ involvement, in order to assess their engagement and commitment. The article suggests that patients’ and health professionals’ engagement in the design and implementation of an e-health project is the key to its success; this requires adequate training of all the stakeholders but in turn it enhances transparency and commitment.