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.