The journey to e-Health: VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York (VISN 2).

e-Health offers the rich potential of supplementing traditional delivery of services and channels of communication in ways that extend the healthcare organization's ability to meet the needs of its patients. Benefits include enhanced access to information and resources, empowerment of patients to make informed healthcare decisions, streamlined organizational processes and transactions, and improved quality, value, and patient satisfaction. A diverse array of factors affects the development and implementation of e-Health initiatives and applications. Crafting a strategic approach is critical to success, especially in this era of rapidly changing technology. The journey to implementing e-Health at this VA Network is discussed and a model described for assessing the environment, identifying critical success factors, and selecting areas of focus. Recommendations are offered for defining a strategic approach to e-Health for healthcare organizations.