The Global Observatory for eHealth (GOe) was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005. As its initial task it carried out the first global survey on eHealth. The survey covered seven key themes in the eHealth domain, and one of these is the subject of this report. This report summarises the needs for eHealth tools and services of the WHO Member States and their expectations from the WHO Secretariat as expressed in the survey. It is written for an audience of policy makers, eHealth practitioners, researchers, and academics.

The document describes the survey instrument and its development process, as well as its seven key themes and the actions associated with them:

1. Enabling environment - Create an enabling environment for the development of eHealth through policy.
2. Infrastructure - Develop infrastructure in a health context.
3. Content - Provide access for health professionals and the community to digital health content.
4. Cultural and linguistic diversity - Produce and disseminate multicultural digital health content.
5. Capacity Building - Information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge and skills in the health sector.
6. National centres for eHealth - Expand the eHealth international network.
7. eHealth systems and services - Query and respond to Member States’ requirements for eHealth tools and services.

The document maps the locations of the 93 countries that responded and shows resulting data. The following are among the recommendations drawn from the survey:

• "There was significant demand for the provision of generic tools to support the clinical and administrative functions of health care services.
• Countries indicated a strong desire for: guidance with policy and strategy development for eHealth; advice on needs assessment and evaluation of eHealth services; information on best practice and trends; advice on eHealth norms and standards; and consultancy services to assist in all aspects of eHealth.
• All respondents expressed a need for education and training in eHealth. There is also a significant demand for the use of eLearning methods in health sciences. Some additional requests included: access to digital libraries and information about evidence-based research within the eHealth domain; and establishment of a network to share experiences internationally.
• Directories of health care professionals and institutions can assist governments in realising, quickly and effectively, the required administrative and legal basis for many aspects of eHealth delivery. Pharmaceutical or drug registries are fundamental if control of the efficacy and cost of medicines is to be exercised at regional or national levels. This is especially true in situations where health care consumes an increasing proportion of national budgets. Generic ICT-based tools are seen as a fundamental way of creating these both cost-effectively and rapidly. Providing generic tools to enable registration of groups of patients suffering from similar conditions creates a valuable basis for maintaining the health of these groups and identifying priorities for health care expenditure. The importance and value of these information systems was clearly recognised by countries responding to the survey. Not surprisingly, the highest demand came from countries which are still waiting to implement these solutions."

The document concludes with a recommended action plan for WHO and collaborative partners to move forward based upon the survey results.

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WHO website accessed April 16 2009.