Assessment Of Use Of Digital Healthcare Services and Telemedicine In
Healthcare Organizations
Abstract
The Purpose of the Study: The objective of the study was to the
process and level of digitalization of healthcare services, as well as
the use of tele-medicine in healthcare settings. Materials and
Methods: In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with total of
20 functional leaders who led the digitalization process in healthcare
organizations via zoom application. For the data analysis, interviews
were recorded, transcribed and analyzed. Findings: Findings
indicated that receiving an HIMMS level 7 certificate was a goal of all
public hospitals but was not the key for private healthcare
organizations although their healthcare services have nearly become
digitalized. The key benefits regarding the digital healthcare services
included savings, efficiency, increased patient safety, reduced medical
errors, and speed access to patient records, digital archiving and
closed loop drug delivery system. Digital healthcare services were very
valuable in every single area particularly, intensive care units. Use of
telemedicine in public hospitals was limited to transferring patient
data to e-pulse. However, the use of telemedicine services in private
hospitals was becoming increasingly popular. Highlights: (1)
The digitalization of healthcare services was a goal of all hospitals
due to the benefits of technology (2) HIMMS EMRAM certification
was a goal for public hospitals but not for private hospitals
(3) Use of Telemedicine in public setting is limited; however,
private hospitals are expanding their telemedicine services (
4) The number of digital hospitals has been increasing in
Turkiye.