Telemedicine: a process enabler for enhanced healthcare delivery systems

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework along with underlying propositions for the design and deployment of telemedicine projects which provide healthcare organizations with strategic benefits.Design/methodology/approachField research conducted at four healthcare organizations along with academic literature in the areas of telemedicine and process management form the basis for the conceptual framework and propositions provided in this paper.FindingsTelemedicine can be used as a process enabler for enhanced healthcare‐delivery systems. However, there are several challenges which must be considered prior to its implementation. The framework and propositions provided in the paper can be used to facilitate successful telemedicine project deployments.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework and propositions are derived from a small sample and must be validated through more rigorous empirical research studies.Practical implicationsThe concepts presented in the paper can be used by healthcare planners to increase the likelihood of telemedicine deployment success within their organizations.Originality/valueThis paper begins to fill a void in the literature concerning how telemedicine can be used as a process enabler for improving healthcare‐delivery systems.

Implementing telemedicine through eListening in hospital-in-the-home units

“…However, our study is in line with other researchers (e.g. Deng et al, 2005;Lockamy & Smith, 2009), who argue that eListening has considerable potential to contribute to efficient telemedicine, gains and cost reductions for healthcare organisations.…”

“…An increasing number of healthcare organisations have invested significantly in developing telemedicine applications (Lockamy & Smith, 2009). However, recent experience suggests that there have been numerous failures (Whitten & Adams, 2003).…”

“…According to their answers, we found a new variable with a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 13; where '0' was 'not at all' and '13' was 'to a very large extent'. For health organisations, performance measures must integrate performance standards and measures designed to monitor the congruency between healthcare-delivery processes and patients (Lockamy & Smith, 2009). The quality of service fulfils these two objectives -the effective deployment of services requires healthcare practitioners to focus on applying their knowledge to critical healthcare-delivery processes, which in turn influences the patient's perception of satisfaction and value within the health organisation's strategy (Asubonteng et al, 1996).…”

“…Under this framework, telemedicine technology allows these units to gain a much deeper insight and to make more informed decisions. They also allow the HHU to deal with patients systematically (Lockamy & Smith, 2009), which in turn leads to improved patient service levels and a higher level of perceived quality (Asubonteng, McCleary, & Swan, 1996). As Barlow and Hendy (2009) noted, the main beneficiaries of telecare are patients and family carers, through the provision of independence, security, confidence, quality of life, and the ability to stay in one's own home.…”

“…The growth of telemedicine has exposed many opportunities for HHUs (Lockamy & Smith, 2009), in terms of their ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, patients and carers while the patient is at home. The relationship between eListening and telemedicine technology could be seen in two different ways.…”