e.Oman-Towards a Healthy Society: A Case Study of e.Oman Initiative in Oman with Special Reference to ICT and Health

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution e-health is often viewed as agents to resolve shortcomings in health sector. ICTs are widely perceived to have the capability, if used effectively, to bridge social and economic gaps that divide rural and urban communities improving access and providing a wider range of health services to enhance the wellbeing of people. They have the potential to change the delivery of healthcare services and patient care, as well as the management of health care systems by providing personalized healthcare information and solutions. E-Health can improve access to information, thus increasing awareness of what is known in the health sciences, while selective dissemination by electronic means can facilitate targeting of information on those who either request it or are most likely to use it. Effective ICTs in health are tend to provide just-in-time, high quality, relevant information to health professionals and, increasingly to laypersons.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of different e-health services offered under the national ICT initiative e.Oman in transforming Oman to an information society. The study aims to understand the different types of ICTs under the healthcare services of e.Oman, the expected benefits they can bring to the health care system and the community. The study analyses the challenges in implementing health services via ICTs and studies the citizen's experience with the services. Case study method will be adopted for an in-depth study.