Abstract
The goal of this article is to propose a new model based upon the conclusions of this review. We argue that there are no models available with sufficient explanatory power as network aspects, the role of recipients, and cross-border issues are not sufficiently taken into account. We propose therefore a number of guidelines for a new process-like model that should incorporate insights from previous models. Rather than viewing technology adoption as a single static snapshot, the new model should encompass a more continuous evaluation of the adoption process and should evaluate the service continuously throughout several phases in time. In order to address these issues, we developed a new holistic model that we hope, solves the points of attention named above.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Health Information: The use of information technology in order to maximize the efficiency of healthcare provision through increasing the accessibility of healthcare related information. Health information is not especially oriented on the provision of healthcare between care consumers and professionals.
Technology Diffusion: The process that describes the takeover of a certain technology by other actors or organizations other than the organization that originally started using the technology or service. Such actors or organizations are usually related to the original actor.
Telemedicine: The provision of healthcare between healthcare recipients and providers in an innovative way supported by ICT. The focus is hereby on the healthcare provision itself instead of on the efficiency-oriented IT systems and services (health information).
Technology Adaptation: The fact that the originally intended use of a technology or service is sometimes changed or adapted by people or organizations in practice.
Technology Acceptance: The decision of possible users whether to use a specific technology or service.
Technology Appropriation: After being introduced to the end-user, the intended use and meaning of a technology is sometimes altered by the user. Even if carefully introduced, the original situation is sometimes adapted. With regard to adaptation, appropriation has an accent on the fact that the user adjusts the technology for his own best practice, while adaptation relates to the fact that the use sometimes changes in general.
E-Health: The (remote) monitoring and management of patients as well as the use of systems that provide access to expert advice and patient information by care professionals. On the one hand, e-health focuses on the provision of care between care consumers and professionals at a distance (telemedicine). On the other hand, e-health can comprise ICT-based services between healthcare professionals in order to maximize efficiency (health information).