Economic Aspects of a Health System Electronization

There are significant disparities among the health needs of citizens and the financial resources of the healthcare system. Limitations of the inputs to growth of the health systems are primarily due to fiscal constraints, the demographic crisis, the degree of competitiveness of the EU, as well as the willingness of citizens to bear some degree of the tax burden. The costs of providing healthcare can be reduced by the proper implementation of eHealth project, as is evidenced by the analysis of the costs and benefits of successful implementation abroad. The aim of this chapter is to evaluate the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in medical institutions, in Slovakia, as the basis of effective strategic management, influencing the positive and negative changes in their external environment. In addition, the chapter focuses on investments in technological innovation, its determinants, and specification of the effects of the use of IS and IT in healthcare facilities. Finally, it reflects the partial outputs of the first international research GESITY/Hospitals 2011-2012 conducted in partnership with Slovakia and Brazil, in connection with the objectives of the implementation of an eHealth program in Slovakia.