Creating patient e-knowledge for patients through telemedicine technologies

Abstract

The deployment of telemedicine technologies has given home care units the means to generate ongoing improvements in accuracy and timeliness in order to meet dynamic patient demands and sustain their competitive edges. This study examines crucial links between telemedicine technologies and the existence and enhancement of patient electronic knowledge (e-knowledge) through an empirical investigation of 252 patients of a Hospital-in-the-Home Unit (HHU) within a Spanish regional hospital. To this end, a structural equation model, validated by the factor analysis of these patients is included. To HHU managers, this study offers a set of guidelines to understand the role of organisational learning processes in patient e-knowledge and telemedicine technologies. Our findings support that the relationship between organisational learning and patient e-knowledge can be mediated by telemedicine technologies.

Keywords:

• organisational learning
• telemedicine technologies
• patient electronic knowledge

The data in this research were taken from a research programme supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education (REF: ECO2011-28641-C02-02) and the R&D Project for Excellence. Andalusian Ministry of Education (REF: SEJ-6081).

The data in this research were taken from a research programme supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education (REF: ECO2011-28641-C02-02) and the R&D Project for Excellence. Andalusian Ministry of Education (REF: SEJ-6081).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Juan-Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro

About the authors

Juan Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro is a Doctor in Business Administration, and Master in marketing and communications. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of the Facultad de Ciencias de la Empresa, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII, 50, 30203 Cartagena (Spain).

Antonio Luís Gamo Sánchez is a Ph.D. student at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and his investigation line is focused on knowledge management and organizational learning. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (Spain).

José Luis Moreno Cegarra is a Ph.D. student at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and his investigation line is focused on e-Government and ICT. He currently heads the ICT Team and supervises staff at Cartagena City Hall (Spain).