Digital transformation in health policies and services: E-Health applications

Health services on a global scale are one of the basic building blocks of the economy. Today, while better healthcare services are provided to humanity with medical and technological developments around the world, increasing costs create a source of concern for healthcare providers and patients. Countries are looking for technology-oriented and low-cost solutions to control and reduce high costs in the health sector, to find solutions to the resource problems of health services, to increase the quality of these services, and to reform this field. The developments in science and technology, especially the progress in information technologies and the resulting digital transformation have also caused changes in the healthcare sector. In the literature, the digitalization of health services is referred to as electronic health information and communication technology that facilitates health and health services (e-Health). Digital transformation services in healthcare include the integration of many healthcare institutions into comprehensive information technology systems, such as digital imaging, electronic health records, and e-prescription services. The aim of this study is to evaluate the digital transformation in health policies and services implemented in our country within the framework of e-Health applications and to reveal its importance for public administration. In this context, the study will first discuss the digital transformation process in health policies and services. Then, the basic building blocks of the digital transformation that has occurred in the healthcare sector in Türkiye since the 2000s will be evaluated, and the development, current status, benefits, drawbacks, and difficulties of the e-Health application will be evaluated. Finally, suggestions will be developed for more effective and quality implementation of health policies and services in our country.