Title: E-delivery of personalised healthcare information to intermediaries for suicide prevention

Authors: Ye Diana Wang, Gloria Phillips-Wren, Guisseppi Forgionne

Addresses: Information Systems Department, College of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA. ' Information Systems and Operations Management, Sellinger School of Business and Management, Loyola College in Maryland, 4501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA. ' Information Systems Department, College of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA

Abstract: A novel use of store-forward telemedicine is described in which healthcare information is provided via internet-based information and communication technologies (ICTs) to an intermediary (a third-party observer) rather than directly to the patient to deliver suicide prevention e-healthcare. To be effective, information must be tailored specifically for each type of intermediary to enable improved decision making in interacting with the patient. The healthcare system filters data and delivers personalised healthcare information enabled by Internet-based ICTs for a specific type of user. An application to mental health is presented.

Keywords: decision making; e-healthcare; electronic healthcare; intermediary; mental health; personalised healthcare information; suicide prevention; telemedicine; internet; ICT; information technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2005.006687

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2005 Vol.1 No.4, pp.396 - 412

Published online: 01 Apr 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article