E-Health refers to web-enabled systems and processes designed to transform healthcare delivery by improving medical care, enhancing patient engagement, streamlining operations, and controlling healthcare expenditures. It encompasses a wide range of services and solutions that leverage digital technology to provide more efficient, accessible, and patient-centered care. Key components of e-health include telehealth, which facilitates remote consultations and monitoring; electronic health records (EHR), which digitize patient information for seamless sharing across healthcare settings; personal health records (PHR), empowering patients to manage their own health data; health information exchange (HIE), enabling secure data sharing between organizations; and e-prescription, which improves accuracy and convenience.
Growing adoption of EHR by physicians drives the global market
The growing use of EHR by physicians is a key factor driving the expansion of the e-health market. EHR systems enable healthcare providers to access comprehensive patient information in a digital format, streamlining data sharing across various healthcare settings. This improved access to patient history, demographics, and disease progression enhances both the efficiency and quality of care delivery.
According to the 2021 National Electronic Health Records Survey (NEHRS), 88.2% of U.S. office-based physicians had adopted EHR systems, with 77.8% using certified systems. As the adoption of EHR technology continues to rise, it plays a pivotal role in driving the growth of the e-health market by optimizing clinical workflows and improving patient outcomes.
Government initiatives for personal health record launch create numerous growth opportunities
Governments around the world are increasingly prioritizing the development and implementation of PHR systems, recognizing their ability to empower individuals to take control of their health information while improving access to healthcare services. These initiatives are opening up significant opportunities for market growth by promoting efficient, patient-centric, and personalized care.
For instance, in January 2024, the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador introduced a new PHR system aimed at transforming how residents engage with healthcare services. This system allows individuals to seamlessly track and manage their health records, paving the way for broader adoption and integration of PHR systems globally.
North America leads the e-health market, holding the largest share of revenue. This dominance is attributed to various factors, including increased investments in the creation of innovative electronic platforms and software, as well as a well-established healthcare infrastructure. For example, in October 2024, Oracle announced the general availability of Oracle Health Clinical Data Exchange, a new cloud-based solution designed to enhance medical claims processing through secure and automated data exchange between healthcare providers and payers.
The key players in the global market are Koninklijke Philips N.V., IBM, Siemens Healthineers AG, Epic Systems Corporation, UNITEDHEALTH GROUP, athenahealth, Teladoc Health, Inc., Cisco Systems, Inc., ResMed, eClinicalWorks, NXGN Management, LLC, Greenway Health, LLC, CareCloud, Inc., Doximity, Inc., and others.