We should be trying to buy and then modify complete e-Health bundled systems which have already proved successful overseas, rather than constantly trying to reinvent the wheel.

The Australian Centre for Health Research (ACHR) was set up to stimulate debate within the Australian health sector. We play an advisory role rather than being an executive group. Since our inception e-Health has certainly been on our radar, amidst some scepticism which, I feel, has mostly stemmed from a misunderstanding of what e-Health is all about. It's important not to get confused and think the aim is just to use technology to make life "easier" or "cheaper" for healthcare providers.

So perhaps I should being by clarifying what it means to me.

e-Health is about embracing and utilising electronic methods in order to improve the connectivity, speed and accuracy of communication within the health field. It's about linking GP records, admissions, prescribing, family history, pathology, and the many other branches of our highly complex healthcare system to ensure better outcomes for patients. eHealth practices have much to offer, particularly in the management of chronic diseases.