A framework for designing sustainable telemedicine information systems in Uganda

Abstract

Although telemedicine has been widely used in the developed countries, it is still relatively a new technology in the developing world. A number of challenges have emerged in the process of diffusing telemedicine, thereby hindering its adoption and sustainability in Uganda and other developing countries. While various telemedicine frameworks exist, not much has been done to adequately address the issue of design for sustainability. Many of the frameworks were developed for the developed world, hence rendering them inapplicable in developing countries where design requirements tend to vary from country to country. Using both quantitative and qualitative research methods, primary data were collected from 2 hospitals that have attempted using telemedicine in Uganda and analyzed. The findings indicate that lack of knowledge and skills, inadequate telemedicine laws and policies, lack of resources and resistance to change by members of staff were the main challenges hindering sustainability of telemedicine information systems. Some of the key requirements for sustainable telemedicine Information Systems design and sustainability are highlighted as the need for speed, ease of use and affordability. This study proposes a framework that can be used to design sustainable telemedicine information systems in Uganda and other developing countries based on Hevner et al. (2004) Design Science framework. The main contribution of the study is in the area of Information Systems design for sustainability from a developing country perspective. Two paper publications in top scientific journals have been realized from this study, listed as follows:

Papers published from this study [1]. Kituyi G. Mayoka, Agnes S. Rwashana, Victor W. Mbarika and Stephen R. Isabalija (2011). Factors Affecting Adoption, Implementation and Sustainability of Telemedicine Information Systems in Uganda. Journal of Health Informatics in Developing Countries [2]. Kituyi G. Mayoka, Agnes S. Rwashana, Victor W. Mbarika and Stephen R. Isabalija (2012). A Framework for Designing Sustainable Telemedicine Information Systems in Developing Countries. Emerald Journal of Systems and Information Technology. Accepted for Publication in Issue 3 2012, May/June 2012.