Validation of an e-health readiness assessment framework for developing countries

Abstract

Background: Studies document e-health as having potential to improve quality of healthcare services, resulting in both developed and developing countries demonstrating continued interest in e-health uptake and use. e-Health implementations are not always successful as high failure rates have been reported in both developed and developing countries. These failures are often a result of lack of e-health readiness. e-Health readiness has been defined as the preparedness of healthcare institutions or communities for the anticipated change brought by programs related to information and communication technologies. As such it is critical to conduct an e-health readiness assessment prior to implementation of e-health innovations so as to reduce chances of project failure. Noting the absence of an adequate e-health readiness assessment framework (eHRAF) suitable for use in developing countries, the authors conceptualised, designed, and created a developing country specific eHRAF to aid in e-health policy planning. The aim of this study was to validate the developed eHRAF and to determine if it required further refinement before empirical testing. Methods: Published options for a framework validation process were adopted, and fifteen globally located e-health experts engaged. Botswana experts were engaged using saturation sampling, while international experts were purposively selected. Responses were collated in an Excel spreadsheet, and NVivo 11 software used to aid thematic analysis of the open ended questions. Results: Analysis of responses showed overall support for the content and format of the proposed eHRAF. Equivocal responses to some open ended questions were recorded, most of which suggested modifications to terms within the framework. One expert from the developed world had alternate views. Conclusions: The proposed eHRAF provides guidance for e-health policy development and planning by identifying, in an evidence based manner, the major areas to be considered when preparing for an e-health readiness assessment in the context of developing countries.

eHealth Implementation Issues in Low-Resource Countries: Model, Survey, and Analysis of User Experience

“…The recent history of eHealth implementation and experimentation in many LRCs has resulted in research and publication of many relevant results, including those that touched on sustainable implementation of eHealth in these countries [ 3 , 7 , 17 , 18 , 30 , 31 ]. In addition, Mauco et al [ 32 ] developed and validated an eHealth readiness assessment framework for developing countries. It includes a comprehensive set of readiness factors, including organizational, technological or infrastructural, government, societal, health care provider, engagement, core, and public- or patient-related.…”

“…Whether hospitals implement experimental or full eHealth applications, their operations are a source of data and user opinions that could be harvested to deduce predictions and possible causes of success or failure in future installations. The problem is that almost all related research on LRCs has been based on single installations or systematic reviews [ 3 , 7 , 22 , 23 , 32 ], and it is difficult to generalize from these to validate a theoretical framework. We note that there are organizations that publish hospital rankings in different regions and countries, including most, if not all, LRCs (eg, Ranking Web of Hospitals [ 33 ]).…”

Organizational Readiness for Implementing an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Depression Across Community Mental Health Services in Albania and Kosovo: Directed Qualitative Content Analysis

“…Readiness or organizational readiness can be defined as “the extent to which organizational members are psychologically and behaviorally prepared to implement organizational change” [ 13 ]. The concept of organizational readiness is an integral component of implementing new health programs owing to the growing recognition that programs may fail not as a result of the digital health innovation but because organizational readiness for change is not adequately evaluated and addressed [ 14 , 15 ]. The assessment of organizational readiness is therefore advised in the early phases of implementation in order to gain a better understanding of the challenges and facilitators for successful implementation, augmentation, and optimization of implementation strategies [ 16 ].…”

Development, Implementation, and Outcomes of a Global Infectious Disease Training Course

“…This technological readiness is often called, e-readiness. 13 We found that the blended methodology model was ideally suited to the trainees and efficiently increased their knowledge and significantly improved ICP-related practices. We expanded access to the course in multiple regions of the world and offered the course as a yearly training event.…”