Citation:
O. Adeogun, A. Tiwari, J.R. Alcock, Models of information exchange for UK telehealth systems, International Journal of Medical Informatics, Volume 80, Issue 5, 2011, Pages 359-370
Abstract:
Aim: The aim of the paper was to identify the models of information exchange for
UKtelehealth systems.Methodology: Twelve telehealth offerings were evaluated and
models representing theinformation exchange routes were constructed.
Questionnaires were used to validate thediagrammatical representations of the
models with a response rate of 55%.Results: The models were classified as
possessing four sections: preparing for data transfer,data transfer, information
generation and information transfer from health professional topatient.In
preparing for data transfer, basic data entry was automated in most systems
thoughadditional inputs (i.e. information about diet, lifestyle and medication)
could be enteredbefore the data was sent into the telehealth system. For the
data transfer aspect, results andadditional inputs were sent to intermediate
devices, which were connectors between pointof-care devices, patients and health
professionals. Data were then forwarded to either a webportal, a remote database
or a monitoring/call centre. Information generation was eitherthrough
computational methods or through the expertise of health professionals.
Informationtransfer to the patient occurred in four forms: email, telehealth
monitor message, textmessage or phone call.Conclusion: On comparing the models,
three generic models were outlined. Five differentforms of information exchange
between users of the system were identified: patientpush,system-stimulation,
dialogue, health professional-pull and observation. Patient-pushand health
professional-pull are the dominant themes from the telehealth
offeringsevaluated.