Health Online Services in Portugal

Digital health services encompass a range of online functionalities, such as appointment scheduling, telemedicine, patient record management, and accessibility. Effective digital transformation in the healthcare sector enhances service delivery, reduces administrative burdens, and ensures that critical health information is readily available to patients and healthcare providers. As healthcare systems worldwide embrace digital solutions, Portugal must address existing gaps to ensure a competitive and patient-centric healthcare landscape. Health Online Service Provision Index (HOSPI) is an instrument developed by the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNUEGOV) that assesses the online presence of hospitals based on a set of indicators and sub-indicators organised into four criteria: Content, Services, Community Interaction, and Technology Features. HOSPI has been applied in Portugal in 2019, 2021, and 2023. This policy brief summarizes these findings and provides recommendations for enhancing digital health services in Portugal.