Perspectives on the use of eHealth in the management of patients with schizophrenia

Mobile devices, digital technologies, and web-based applications-known collectively as eHealth (electronic health)-could improve health caredelivery for costly, chronic diseases such as schizophrenia. Pharmacologic andpsychosocial therapies represent the primary treatment for individuals withschizophrenia; however, extensive resources are required to support adherence, facilitate continuity of care, and prevent relapse and its sequelae. This paper addressesthe use of eHealth in the management of schizophrenia based on a roundtablediscussion with a panel of experts, which included psychiatrists, a medicaltechnology innovator, a mental health advocate, a family caregiver, a health policymaker, and a third-party payor. The expert panel discussed the uses, benefits, and limitations of emerging eHealth with the capability to integrate care and extendservice accessibility, monitor patient status in real time, enhance medicationadherence, and empower patients to take amore active role inmanaging their disease.In summary, to support this technological future, eHealth requires significantresearch regarding implementation, patient barriers, policy, and funding.