Telehealth adoption to support the operation of health centres – Factors relating to telehealth adoption in primary health care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.2605Abstract
The Networked Health Care project was implemented in seven health centres in the Oulunkaari subregion in 2004–2007. Several kinds of telehealth applications were introduced: telemeetings, tele-education and different kinds of teleconsultations (orthopaedic, psychiatric, diabetes and rehabilitation). The purpose of this study was to find out the essential factors that determined telehealth adoption in the project. The purpose was to uncover the benefits of telehealth as well. Qualitative case study with interviews with 30 professionals (physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses, physiotherapists) was carried out in seven health centres in spring 2007.
According to the results of the study, innovation itself, together with employees and social system, was a factor that determined telehealth adoption. The most essential factors were the usefulness of telehealth, the ease of telehealth usage and the characteristics of employees (such as technology-orientation). From the health care professionals’ point of view, telehealth is useful for patients, health centre staff and society alike. Telehealth is perceived as improving the quality and availability of health care services and decrease the need of travel by staff and patients. For the health care professionals, telehealth brings better opportunities for education and networking with colleagues in different organisations. Because of its significant benefits, the adoption of telehealth in rural health centres can be recommended
