E-health means using digital tools and services to provide and manage healthcare. This includes electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and digital communication platforms.
Many countries have improved healthcare by centralizing data, making care easier to access, and reducing paperwork with e-health programs.
Jordan’s Hakeem Program: A Close Look
Jordan started the “Hakeem” e-health program in 2009. The government used American technology to automate public healthcare and handle over seven million electronic patient records.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) helped with funding for studies and ongoing development. This allowed electronic health records to spread to more than 260 hospitals and clinics.
Over 37,500 healthcare workers were trained to use the system well.
Hakeem showed its value during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing telemedicine for chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer. This let patients keep getting treatment even when they could not move around freely.
In June 2024, USTDA promised more support to expand Hakeem with more facilities, better patient access, and AI technology added.
Healthcare managers in the U.S. can learn from Jordan’s program. A government-backed e-health plan with international partnerships and ongoing training helps a lot.
The Jordanian case shows how important it is to have integrated records, trained staff, and flexible telehealth services to support many patients.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a bigger role in healthcare. The European Union (EU) has passed laws and started programs to manage AI use in medicine.
The Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) began in August 2024. It controls high-risk AI, including in healthcare, by requiring risk management, transparency, quality data, and human oversight.
These rules help prevent mistakes and wrong use of AI systems.
The EU also created the European Health Data Space (EHDS) to give safe and secure access to electronic health data for research and AI development.
This system allows the secondary use of health data while protecting privacy. It supports shared research and better healthcare.
The Product Liability Directive (PLD) now includes software and AI, meaning patients harmed by faulty AI can get compensation without proving fault. This gives legal clarity and protects patients.
The EU’s steps offer lessons for the U.S. When adding AI tools, healthcare groups must follow rules, keep data quality high, and protect patients.
Being open about AI use and keeping humans involved in decisions helps build trust. The U.S. can use similar rules as AI grows in hospitals and clinics.
Chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and lipid problems are hard to manage because they last a long time and need constant care.
Studies show telehealth and AI can help treat these diseases and keep patients involved in their health.
Telehealth lets doctors watch and help patients from far away, which is good for people in rural or underserved areas.
Mobile apps, wearable devices, and remote monitoring tools gather health data in real time. This data helps doctors give better treatments.
It also helps patients follow medicines, change habits, and visit doctors regularly.
There are problems too, like not enough broadband internet, digital systems that don’t work well together, and worries about data privacy.
Fixing these problems means making easy-to-use tools, teaching patients about digital health, and keeping data safe according to laws like HIPAA.
AI can automate many front-office tasks like patient calls, scheduling, and handling information.
For healthcare managers and IT staff, AI systems can make workflows smoother. This lets clinical workers spend more time caring for patients instead of doing paperwork.
Simbo AI’s Approach to Phone Automation and Answering Services
Simbo AI uses AI to manage phone calls and patient contacts quickly and well.
The system understands what patients say, books appointments, shares information about services, and sends urgent calls to humans when needed.
This cuts wait times, lowers costs, and reduces missed appointments and communication mistakes.
Simbo AI’s handling of repetitive phone work improves efficiency and patient experience, especially in busy clinics.
When AI phone systems link with electronic health records and scheduling software, workflows get smoother and data becomes more accurate.
Broader AI Workflow Automation Applications
Healthcare leaders who want to increase AI use should start with small steps.
Using AI for front-office tasks like phone handling can quickly ease workload.
Later, adding AI to back-end and clinical work can improve efficiency and support better decisions with data.
Healthcare groups in the U.S. face many challenges such as broken care systems, diverse patients, and complex insurance.
Building strong e-health systems with AI needs careful planning and investment.
Training and Adoption
Jordan’s Hakeem program showed how important training is by educating over 37,500 users.
U.S. healthcare leaders must make sure their teams learn to use digital and AI tools well.
Getting staff involved early and giving ongoing help can reduce resistance to new technology.
Interoperability and Data Integration
Data systems that don’t work together have limited digital health’s potential in the U.S.
Making sure different EHRs, telehealth apps, and AI tools share data easily is key.
This improves care and stops repeated work.
Regulatory Compliance and Patient Privacy
Following laws like HIPAA is a must when using AI and e-health tools.
Clear data use policies and strong security build patient trust, which is needed for digital health to grow.
Cost Management
Though e-health and AI systems need big upfront spending, Jordan’s example shows they can save money over time by cutting service costs and improving health.
U.S. medical leaders should see these tools as investments that bring better efficiency and patient care.
New technologies like advanced biosensors, blockchain for secure data sharing, augmented reality for patient education, and AI for predicting health trends will enhance care for chronic diseases and hospital workflows.
Using AI with data-sharing digital health systems will help provide more personal and timely care.
At the same time, it will lower paperwork for healthcare workers.
Examples in countries like Jordan and the European Union show how to blend e-health and AI carefully, balancing innovation with rules and patient safety.
U.S. healthcare groups can learn from these examples to improve care and administration in the future.
Hakeem is Jordan’s first e-health initiative launched in 2009 to automate the public healthcare sector using modern IT solutions, managing over seven million electronic patient records.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) provided funding and support for the feasibility studies and implementation of the Hakeem initiative.
USTDA’s investment has enhanced healthcare management systems, created patient-oriented records, reduced service delivery costs, and improved health outcomes.
The Hakeem program has been installed in more than 260 facilities, including hospitals and clinics across Jordan.
More than 37,500 users have been trained on the Hakeem program to effectively utilize the new electronic health records systems.
Hakeem launched a telemedicine service in May 2020, enabling patients to receive care for chronic conditions despite COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The expansion aims to increase the number of facilities, improve patient access, enhance data management, and integrate AI enhancements.
In June 2024, USTDA provided a second feasibility study grant to support the next phase of Hakeem’s expansion.
The telemedicine service covers conditions including diabetes, oncology, and renal systems.
The initiative has received consulting services and technology from 29 U.S. companies across 11 states, including Virginia.
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