6. Lack or Insufficiency of Laws and Regulations Governing the Provision of E-Health Services
The absence or inadequacy of laws and regulations governing the provision of e-health services poses a significant barrier to implementation.
Privacy concerns emerge as a prominent obstacle due to the web-based nature of many e-health systems, raising apprehensions among doctors and patients regarding the security of medical records. This concern is further exacerbated when wireless internet is utilized for transmitting records to multiple locations. It is imperative to recognize that e-health applications, particularly those involving the utilization of big data, cannot be regarded in isolation from organizational cybersecurity policies49 .
Legal hurdles also impede the adoption of information technology in healthcare. The lack of clarity in laws pertaining to fraud and abuse, tax regulations, intellectual property rights, liability and malpractice, and licensing laws creates an environment of uncertainty for healthcare providers in implementing information technology solutions50 . Consequently, certain strategic plans for e-health applications may prove unfeasible due to inadequate consideration of the available resources’ quality and scope.
Addressing these legal and regulatory challenges is crucial to foster an environment conducive to the successful implementation and widespread adoption of e-health services.