A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE eHEALTH IMPLEMENTATION IN RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED SETTINGS

Authors

  • Getnet Bogale Fanta University of Pretoria, Department Engineering and Technology Management, South Africa.
  • Leon Pretorius University of Pretoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/29-3-2055

Abstract

There is evidence that several eHealth pilot projects in developing countries could not progress to full-scale implementation — sometimes referred to as the ‘pilotitis’ of the eHealth system. The sustainable eHealth implementation frameworks reported in the literature are linearly modelled, and fail to reflect the nonlinear and dynamic complexity of eHealth systems implementation. This study proposes a sustainable eHealth implementation framework to support the long-term sustainability of eHealth systems in developing countries. The framework addresses the nonlinear and dynamic relationships among elements of the ecosystem in the implementation of eHealth through feedback systems by following a system dynamics method. A literature review and systems approach is used to understand the interactions between the elements of a sustainable eHealth system. System dynamics modelling is applied to develop a nonlinear and dynamic model of sustainable eHealth implementation. The study indicates that the long-term sustainability of eHealth depends not only on technological factors, but also on economic, social, and organisational factors. Moreover, the causal loop diagram highlights the dynamic interplay between the factors of a sustainable eHealth system through feedback loops.

Author Biographies

Getnet Bogale Fanta, University of Pretoria, Department Engineering and Technology Management, South Africa.

Getnet Bogale Fanta is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Engineering and Technology Managment, University of Pretoria.  Getnet studied Electrical Engineering at Addis Ababa University and Masters in Engineering Managment at the University of Pretoria. He worked in the telecommunication sector as a network and transmission engineer. Getnet was involved as a technical lead in the design and implementation of pharmaceuticals information tracking systems. He is passionate about the implementation of successful electronic health systems in the healtcare facilities of developing counties by applying the concepts of a systems approach.

Leon Pretorius, University of Pretoria

Professor, Department of Engineering and Technology Management

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Published

2018-11-09

How to Cite

Fanta, G. B., & Pretorius, L. (2018). A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE eHEALTH IMPLEMENTATION IN RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED SETTINGS. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 29(3), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.7166/29-3-2055

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Special Edition

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