Here we are, once again, exploring the wild world of tech marketing terms. 

This time around we’ve got our eye on eHealth, a growing field emerging at the intersection of medical informatics, public health and business. 

We’ve got no doubt this list of terms will continue to grow as the industry does, so we’ll be updating it as they roll in – just like our original guide on Tech Marketer Terms.

Even if you’re not in the business of eHealth, quite a few of these terms refer to consumer-facing systems you may have interacted with at some point in your existence. So, let’s grab some paper, practice your best doctor handwriting and jot these down. 

Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE): So long, paper order sheets and prescription pads. CPOE is here. Not only does this computer app simplify the process of entering and exchanging a physicians orders for diagnostic and treatment services — medications, laboratory, and other tests — for physicians, but it adds an extra level of protection for the patient. The app can compare the orders against dosing standards, look for allergic reactions or negative interactions with other medications, and warns the physician.

Consolidated Health Informatics (CHI) Initiative: When you’re sharing such crucial information as someone’s medical history or recent diagnoses, medical professionals will want to be on the same page — that’s where the CHI initiative comes into play. They’re here to oversee* vocabulary terms and messaging standards across enterprises. 

*CHI now falls under FHA, but we’ll talk about them later.

Decision-Support System (DSS): Have you ever wondered how physicians could possibly remember all possible drug interactions? Surprise, they don’t (well, maybe some do), they use a DSS. This tool provides evidence-based information to assist physicians in clinical decisions, such as drug interaction alerts or guideline-based interventions during the care of patients with chronic diseases.

Electronic Health Record (EHR): These patient health records provide authorized clynicians with on-demand access to valuable, real-time information. EHRs can streamline and automate a clinician’s workflow, while limiting delays in informational exchanges that can lead to gaps in patient care.

Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR): ELRs simplify the transmission of public health data from clinical labs to public health agencies.  

Electronic Medical Record (EMR): Wondering how EHRs and EMRs differ? Some clinicians do use the term interchangeably, but EMRs are more limited. They’re basically a digital patient chart that works well within a practice, but cannot be exhanged outside of their health care organiation the way an EHR can. 

Electronic Prescribing (eRx): eRx software gives physicians the flexibility to send prescriptions to pharmacies digitally, and can easily be integrated into current clinical information systems to screen against possible drug interactions and patient allergies. 

Federal Health Architecture (FHA): The FHA is an E-Government Line of Business that provides the framework and sets the standards in which eHealth businesses need to abide by, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Energy (DOE). 

Federal Health Interoperability Modeling and Standards (FHIMS): Somebody has to keep an eye on the interoperability of the healthcare industry, and that’s FHIMS. They make sure that partnering agencies follow the standards set for electronically exchanging healthcare information. 

Health Information Exchange (HIE): If this acronym ever pops up, it’s referring to the transfer of health-related information across organizations in a region, community or hospital system.

Health Information Technology (Health IT): Health ITs are the electronic systems used by health care professionals and patients to store, share, and analyze health information.

Interoperability: How do all of these health information systems we’ve defined work together? Interoperability — the safe, effective exchange of patient information between systems set up to exchange, access, and understand the data from another system.  

mHealth: The difference between eHealth and mHealth is pretty minimal. In short, mHealth refers to the use of mobile devices to support the practice of healthcare. 

Personal Health Record (PHR): So, we’ve discussed a few clinician softwares, but what about patients? PHR applications give individuals the ability to manage their health information in a private, secure, and confidential environment.

Telecare: Think of fall detection software on smart watches, digital medication reminders or glucose monitoring systems — basically, any consumer-facing device or system that make it easier for consumers to stay safe and independent in their own homes is considered telecare.

Telehealth: This is the umbrella term that covers anything from remote patient monitoring to healthcare employee training.Telehealth technology gives physicians the ability to e-prescribe medications and remotely prescribe treatments, among other care seervices.

Telemedicine: Remember how the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic brought increased access to virtual doctor visits? That’s telemedicine, y’all. Pandemic needs aside, telemedicine also facilitates a patient’s access to specialists outside of their area, increasing access to quality care.

What’s next?

What you choose to do with this newfound information is totally up to you, but we do hope you feel more informed in the world of eHealth. Maybe you break a few of them out in your next virtual doctors visit? We won’t stop you. 

If you’ve got any new terms to submit, we’d love to see them. You can shoot us a note, and keep an eye out for future terms to know.