Digital Technologies as a Catalyst for Change towards Integrated Care Delivery: Hype or Reality?

Lutz Kubitschke, Ingo Meyer, Sonja Müller, Kira Stellato and Andrea Di Lenarda
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Lutz Kubitschke: empirica, Bonn, Germany
Ingo Meyer: empirica, Bonn, Germany
Sonja Müller: empirica, Bonn, Germany
Kira Stellato: University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
Andrea Di Lenarda: University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

International Journal of Reliable and Quality E-Healthcare (IJRQEH), 2016, vol. 5, issue 2, 31-49

Abstract: The quest for more integrated care is not in itself new, but recent technology developments have nourished hopes that application of advanced digital solutions can make a major contribution to better joined-up care delivery, in particular to those suffering from chronic conditions. However, in contrast, with an enormous breadth of research activities, few instances of routine application of integrated eCare have yet emerged. This raises the question whether the concept of digitally-supported care delivery is indeed a present-day reality transforming traditionally separated care systems or just a hyped-up vision of what could be. Based on a review of recent evidence, including lessons learned from pilot implementations in different countries, the authors argue that the inherent properties of digital technologies do not by themselves lead to better-integrated care delivery. Rather, a reasonable implementation strategy needs to take account of the fact that desired end user support is not delivered by such technologies alone, but by socio-technical systems. An implementation approach that pays simultaneous attention to the stakeholders involved, to the particular working models of the different care actors, and to the technologies to be employed is shown to considerably increase the likelihood of achieving positive impacts on different levels, even if risks and uncertainty cannot be completely avoided.

Date: 2016
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International Journal of Reliable and Quality E-Healthcare (IJRQEH) is currently edited by Anastasius Moumtzoglou

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