Table 2 Summary of the main and sub-themes of challenges and solutions for implementing telemedicine in Iran
From: Challenges and solutions for implementing telemedicine in Iran from health policymakers’ perspective
Category | Themes | Sub-Themes |
|---|---|---|
challenges | Policy weakness in telemedicine | Attitude towards the provision of health services in the electronic platform |
Not being a priority in national programs | ||
The short life of management in the health system | ||
Uncertainty of telemedicine operating mechanisms | Unclearness of program management | |
Lack of roadmap | ||
Lack of operational standards | ||
Inappropriate use of experts | ||
Lack of communication and telecommunication infrastructure | Unsuitability of internet infrastructure in the country | |
Unsuitability of software infrastructure in the field of telemedicine | ||
Limited access to hardware in the field of telemedicine | ||
Lack of cultural infrastructure in telemedicine reception | Resistance in changing the service delivery model by service providers | |
Resistance in accepting new service delivery models by society | ||
Insufficient literacy and skill in working with electronic systems | ||
Lack of electronic requirements | Inconsistency of patients’ clinical information and | |
Weakness in transferring clinical data in the electronic platform | ||
Weakness in electronic health data management | ||
Redundant bureaucracies | Hard and complex laws | |
Ambiguous and lengthy licensing process | ||
Legal gaps | Incompatibility of existing laws with the electronic world | |
Ambiguity of professional and legal responsibilities | ||
lack of legal mechanism for authentication of service providers | ||
lack of legal mechanism for authentication of service recipients | ||
Economic factors | The high cost of setting up telemedicine | |
the vagueness of the telemedicine service tariff and reimbursement mechanism | ||
Solutions | National determination | Strengthening trust and belief at the governance level |
Predicting specific financial resources | ||
Coherent organization | ||
Involving experts and stakeholders | ||
Telemedicine roadmap setting | Development of economic studies | |
Development of the program | ||
Composition of standards and regulations | ||
Gradual implementation of the program | ||
Implementation of the program in the context of family doctor and referral system | ||
Development of e-health requirements and infrastructure | Legislation | |
Use of electronic health records | ||
Increasing the speed and accessibility of Internet | ||
Investment in the field of information technology | ||
Investment in the field of updating medical equipment | ||
Using the capacity of the private sector | ||
Preparing the community to accept telemedicine | Culturization and education in the field of telemedicine | |
Introduction of telemedicine sciences in university education |