Consumer eHealth-an overview of the research evidence and the implications for future policy

Consumer eHealth is becoming a fundamental component of health care. However, only provisional steps have been made to increase our understanding of how consumers engage with eHealth. We undertook an interpretive review to assess the evidence about consumer use of eHealth. We identified five categories encompassing consumer eHealth: (i) peer-to-peer online support groups; (ii) self-management/self-monitoring applications; (iii) decision aids; (iv) the personal health record; and (v) Internet use. Our findings reveal that eHealth offers consumers many possibilities and potential benefits; though there is apprehension concerning the efficacy of some interventions and barriers relating to the trustworthiness of Internet-acquired information. It is imperative policy initiatives address such to ensure consumer eHealth services can be effectively, efficiently, and safely accessed. Key words: Consumer Participation, Health Policy, Medical Informatics and Health Records, personal.