1. INTRODUCTION
Changes and developments in the technology over the years have
positively impacted healthcare services. All these advancements in the
technology have contributed to digitalization of healthcare
services.1 Digital health applications are widely used
in the health sector, especially in the emergency room of the service,
and intensive care services.2 Digital health aims to
improve the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals
as well as communication among healthcare
professionals.3 Digital Health technologies enable
patients to monitor their own health status and comply with the
prescribed regimen and may enhance the relationship between patient and
healthcare professionals.4 In recent years the number
of digital hospitals has been increased in Turkey. Public hospitals are
transforming into digital hospitals with the recommendation of the
Ministry of Health. With this purpose public hospitals have started
going thru HIMMS certification process to receive the level of 6 and 7
certification after complying with the criteria for each level of
digitalization.
Corresponding author: Bahçelievler, 1835. Sk. No:4, 33140
Yenişehir/Mersin E mail: aydankayserili @ yahoo.com
To better understand the process leading to level 6 or 7 certification
level as well as the use of telemedicine in public and private settings,
we decided to conduct a study with the leaders of digitalization
process. For this purpose, we targeted total of 20 hospitals
including public hospitals with a level of 6 or 7 certification and
private hospitals which are using digital healthcare services with no
certification.