E-patient connectivity and the near term future.

The healthcare system is challenged by growth in demand for services that is disproportionate to the volume of service providers. New care models must be created. The revolution in communications and monitoring technologies (connected health) allows for a care model that emphasizes patient self-management and just-in-time provider interventions. Challenges to realizing this vision exist, including maturity of the technology, privacy and security and the ability of providers to customize solutions to maximize patient engagement and behavior change. In addition, provider work-flow and reimbursement must be changed to enable new care models that are focused on patient self-care and just-in-time provider interventions.