Abstract
Supplier evaluation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in healthcare institutions is a crucial problem, and the success of the healthcare system is significantly affected by this decision. In this chapter, several criteria, such as physical characteristics, cost, efficiency, speed, security, productivity, providing advanced technology, technical service and warranty, capable personnel, and in-service training, have been examined in the context of healthcare ICT supplier evaluation. These criteria are evaluated by both medical and administrative executives (N = 48) in 26 university hospitals operating in various provinces in Turkey. Findings show that medical and administrative executives and female and male executives in hospitals differ in terms of their evaluation of ICT suppliers. Overall, this study proposes to contribute to the relevant literature and practice, and reflects the perspective of a developing country, Turkey.
TopBackground
There are considerable number of studies that focuses on the factors and/or criteria that are considered in the process of ICT supplier evaluation. Some of these studies are done in general context while others focus on the specific context of health-care. In this section, we will first mention the studies conducted in general context and will provide them in chronological order. We will then articulate the relevant literature in health-care context. Appendix A summarizes the studies and the criteria examined for ICT supplier evaluation.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Medical Executive: Executives that are titled as “Medical Doctor”, and are in charge of medical operations and personel of the hospital.
Product Related Criteria: Criteria, such as efficiency, speed, security, productivity, advanced technology, physical characteristics, with regards to the ICT products considered in the evaluation of ICT suppliers.
Social Security Institution (SSI): SSI is a social security institution that collect variety of institutions under a single structure.
Administrative Executive: Administrative executive is responsible for the well being of all employees in the organization and support every department in the organization.
Administrative Executive: Administrative executive is responsible for the well being of all employees in the organization and support every department in the organization.
Supplier Related Criteria: Criteria, such as technical service and warranty, capable personnel, cost, in-service training, regarding the supplier of the ICTs that are considered in the evaluation of ICT suppliers.
Public Healthcare Institutions: Public healthcare institutions are composed of hospitals under the administration of Ministry of Health (i.e., general hospitals, training and research hospitals, and branch hospitals), university hospitals, and military hospitals.
Private Healthcare Institutions: Private healthcare institutions are composed of private hospitals, private clinics, private diagnosis centers, private policlinics, and private medical centers.
Healthcare ICTs: Technologies both information systems and information management which impact overall management and cost control, and influence decisions at the point of care, quality control, patient safety and general improvements in services, outcomes and performance.
Healthcare ICTs: Technologies both information systems and information management which impact overall management and cost control, and influence decisions at the point of care, quality control, patient safety and general improvements in services, outcomes and performance.
Private Healthcare Institutions: Private healthcare institutions are composed of private hospitals, private clinics, private diagnosis centers, private policlinics, and private medical centers.
Social Security Institution (SSI): SSI is a social security institution that collect variety of institutions under a single structure.
Product Related Criteria: Criteria, such as efficiency, speed, security, productivity, advanced technology, physical characteristics, with regards to the ICT products considered in the evaluation of ICT suppliers.
Public Healthcare Institutions: Public healthcare institutions are composed of hospitals under the administration of Ministry of Health (i.e., general hospitals, training and research hospitals, and branch hospitals), university hospitals, and military hospitals.
Supplier Related Criteria: Criteria, such as technical service and warranty, capable personnel, cost, in-service training, regarding the supplier of the ICTs that are considered in the evaluation of ICT suppliers.
Medical Executive: Executives that are titled as “Medical Doctor”, and are in charge of medical operations and personel of the hospital.