Healthc Inform Res.  2015 Oct;21(4):265-270. 10.4258/hir.2015.21.4.265.

Innovation Network Development Model in Telemedicine: A Change in Participation

• Goodarzi M
• Torabi M
• Safdari R
• Dargahi H
• Naeimi S

• KMID: 2166876
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2015.21.4.265

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This paper introduces a telemedicine innovation network and reports its implementation in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The required conditions for the development of future projects in the field of telemedicine are also discussed; such projects should be based on the common needs and opportunities in the areas of healthcare, education, and technology.
METHODS
The development of the telemedicine innovation network in Tehran University of Medical Sciences was carried out in two phases: identifying the beneficiaries of telemedicine, and codification of the innovation network memorandum; and brainstorming of three workgroup members, and completion and clustering ideas. The present study employed a qualitative survey by using brain storming method. Thus, the ideas of the innovation network members were gathered, and by using Freeplane software, all of them were clustered and innovation projects were defined.
RESULTS
In the services workgroup, 87 and 25 ideas were confirmed in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively. In the education workgroup, 8 new programs in the areas of telemedicine, tele-education and teleconsultation were codified. In the technology workgroup, 101 and 11 ideas were registered in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Today, innovation is considered a major infrastructural element of any change or progress. Thus, the successful implementation of a telemedicine project not only needs funding, human resources, and full equipment. It also requires the use of innovation models to cover several different aspects of change and progress. The results of the study can provide a basis for the implementation of future telemedicine projects using new participatory, creative, and innovative models.

Keyword

Innovation; Idea; Health Care Administration; Technology Transfer; Telemedicine

MeSH Terms

Brain
Delivery of Health Care
Education
Financial Management
Humans
Remote Consultation
Technology Transfer
Telemedicine*