Readiness to use e-health in Africa: design, validation, and application of a country e-health readiness assessment tool

Abstract

The fundamental right of every human being to attain a level of health that would allow them to lead socially and economically productive lives is seriously affected by the absence of equitable access to health care. The quest for an e-solution to the issue is gaining in importance, especilly after WHO's recent call to its Member Countries to adopt e-Health into their health care systems. A need has been identified for a practical tool that could be applied at the 'national' or, 'country level' in order to assess the degree of e-Health readiness for adoption of e-Health, but there is no such tool. The current study develops, validates and applies an evidence-based and practical 'Country e-Health Readiness Assessment Tool' (CeRAT). Focus is given to African countries as these are facing complex economical and medical realities. The snidy also formulates recommendations based on CeRA T's assessment of these African countries.