Challenges facing Implementation of Telehealth projects in Kenya
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Date
2013-08-24
Authors
Mukhwana, Amimo Bernard
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Abstract
Telemedicine projects seek to reduce burdens on these valuable resources by improving access to
medical care for populations with sub-standard access to quality health care, no matter where
they are physically located. Thus this research sought to investigate the determinants of
implementation of telehealth projects in Kenya. In telehealth, information systems support goals
of increased efficiency, effectiveness and quality of care. This could be achieved by facilitating
the move towards evidence-based medicine, monitoring performance, improving
telecommunication and co-operation between different organizations and professionals, and
empowering patients. This research investigated the determinants of implementation of
telehealth projects in Kenya. The study was limited to investigating the determinants for
implementation of telehealth projects in Kenya with particular reference to Safaricom, Nokia
Kenya and Orange Limited telehealth projects. The study focused on -the influence of
technology, planning, human resource skills and project funding on telehealth project
implementation ..The study used a descriptive research design in collecting data from the
respondents. The questionnaires were attached to a cover letter from the researcher explaining
the purpose of the study. The study concludes that human resources has been effectively
deployed and utilized in the telehealth projects. It further concludes that these employees require
comprehensive training and practice on what the telehealth equipment can do and what
procedures it is ideally suited for. It also concludes that organisation should invest in human
resource skills both in size and level of technical sophistication. The study thus recommends that
these organisations should use advanced equipment and high capacity bandwidth
telecommunications lines. This will help them reach the remote and rural communities existing
and incase the telecommunication systems do not have this capacity, costly altemative methods
such as installing a satellite system may have to be considered. The study also recommends that
the health professional groups within the medical community should develop technology
standards.
Description
R 119.9 .M8