JoinSTNassistant Framework: An Agile Holistic Framework for Assisting Decision in Healthcare Facilities to Join Saudi Telemedicine Network

In 2011, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) launched the Saudi Telemedicine Network (STN) as the first national project for telemedicine in the KSA, which is planned to be completed by 2020. The benefits associated with the STN will only be realised through its successful implementation within the Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). There is a high failure rate of implementation projects of telemedicine within other countries (approximately 75% globally, and 90% in developing countries). Furthermore, there is high failure rate of implementation projects of complex Health Information Technology (HIT) systems within HCFs of the KSA (roughly 80%). These dramatic statistics demonstrate the great need for a suitable framework to assist the STN implementation and increase the likelihood of its successful implementation. Prior studies have asserted that there could not be a one-size-fits-all framework that could be applicable and used by all countries for assisting the implementation of telemedicine. To the best of our knowledge, there is not any existing framework that has been specifically developed for assisting the STN implementation. Thus, this research is aimed at developing a novel, agile, holistic framework, referred to as “JoinSTNassistant Framework”, aimed to assist HCFs across the KSA regarding their organisational decision to join the STN. It must be ensured that this JoinSTNassistant Framework is theoretically rigorous, as well as relevant specifically to the context and the needs of the KSA, its HCFs, and the STN roadmap. Therefore, the JoinSTNassistant Framework has been developed through three-sequential phases. The First Phase of development defines and applies the theoretical and philosophical foundations of the JoinSTNassistant Framework. In this First Phase, 56-selected studies from an extensive literature review were analysed. The Second and Third phases of development reflect the practical and pragmatic requirements of the JoinSTNassistant Framework. These two phases must be considered as two stages of validation of the findings of the First Phase, involving as many potential users as possible in the development of the Framework, so as to ensure that it reflects their expectations and meets their needs. The Second Phase of development involved interviews with 81 strategic-level decision makers of HCFs within the KSA. The Third Phase implemented an even higher level of validation, involving as many as 905 potential users, forming a representative sample size of the decision makers of all HCFs across the KSA. In addition, a web-based application (i.e., Portal) for the JoinSTNassistant Framework, referred to as “JoinSTNassistant Portal” was developed for modifying and adjusting the JoinSTNassistant Framework in order to be applicable for each one of HCFs across the KSA, for assisting and guiding them in reaching a decision to join the STN. This research is part of the STN project and is collaborating with the National eHealth Strategy and Change Management Office in the MOH of KSA, and with the STN agency, who is the sponsor and the owner of the STN project

Barriers and challenges in adopting Saudi telemedicine network: The perceptions of decision makers of healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia

Summary Despite emerging evidence about the benefits of telemedicine, there are still many barriers and challenges to its adoption. Its adoption is often cited as a failed project because 75% of them are abandoned or ‘failed outright’ and this percentage increases to 90% in developing countries. The literature has clarified that there is neither one-size-fit-all framework nor best-practice solution for all ICT innovations or for all countries. Barriers and challenges in adopting and implementing one ICT innovation in a given country/organisation may not be similar – not for the same ICT innovation in another country/organisation nor for another ICT innovation in the same country/organisation. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive scientific study has investigated these challenges and barriers in all Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This research, which is undertaken based on the Saudi Telemedicine Network roadmap and in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), is aimed at identifying the principle predictive challenges and barriers in the context of the KSA, and understanding the perspective of the decision makers of each HCF type, sector, and location. Three theories are used to underpin this research: the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) theoretical framework, and the Evaluating Telemedicine Systems Success Model (ETSSM). This study applies a three-sequential-phase approach by using three mixed methods (i.e., literature review, interviews, and questionnaires) in order to utilise the source triangulation and the data comparison analysis technique. The findings of this study show that the top three influential barriers to adopt and implement telemedicine by the HCF decision makers are: (i) the availability of adequate sustainable financial support to implement, operate, and maintain the telemedicine system, (ii) ensuring conformity of telemedicine services with core mission, vision, needs and constraints of the HCF, and (iii) the reimbursement for telemedicine services. Abbreviations HCFs, Healthcare Facilities; STN, Saudi Telemedicine Network; KSA, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; TOE, Technology–Organisation–Environment; UTAUT, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; MOH, Saudi Ministry of Health; PHCs, Primary Healthcare Centres; OTN, Ontario Telemedicine Network; CPG, Clinical Practice Guidelines; ETSSM, the Evaluating Telemedicine Systems Success Mode

An enhanced conceptual model for using ambient assisted living to provide a home proactive monitoring system for elderly saudi arabians

The proportion of elderly people in the world population has increased and it is expected to increase further in the future. Changes in the number of children born per woman and mortality rates are major factors influencing the age profile of the population. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the proportion of elderly people in its population is expected to rise dramatically. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) monitoring technology is an innovative form of technology that improves quality of life for elderly people and supports them with daily activities. AAL has potential to enable elderly people to live independently in their preferred environment and keep them connected with their families, relatives and friends. This paper aims to further enhance a conceptual model that was designed by the authors in 2016 to interconnect approved family members/ friends using smart phones/ tablets. The enhanced conceptual model will assist the Saudi government and elderly people to adopt AAL technology that supports early intervention at home and to minimise long term consequences of health issues. © 2017 IEEE