The 4P telehealth business framework for Iran
Abstract Background Telehealth services can utilize various information technologies and improve quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery by facilitating education, treatment, follow-up, and decision-making. However, these services are not always commercialized, and in case of commercialization...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-02011-4 |
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| author | Farnia Velayati Haleh Ayatollahi Morteza Hemmat Reza Dehghan |
| author_facet | Farnia Velayati Haleh Ayatollahi Morteza Hemmat Reza Dehghan |
| author_sort | Farnia Velayati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Telehealth services can utilize various information technologies and improve quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery by facilitating education, treatment, follow-up, and decision-making. However, these services are not always commercialized, and in case of commercialization, there is no guarantee for their long-term sustainability in market. Therefore, business models and frameworks are used as part of commercialization processes to identify a set of factors affecting the sustainability, effectiveness, and key business activities. The current study aimed to develop a telehealth business framework for Iran. Methods This research was conducted in 2021, and a mixed-methods approach was used for data collection. Initially, a telehealth business framework was developed based on the findings derived from a systematic review and a qualitative research. The proposed framework was then reviewed by an expert panel (n = 9) in which the participants had at least three years of work experience in telehealth. Finally, the framework was validated using the Delphi method (three rounds). Results The expert panel believed that some components such as partners’ expertise, required capital and financial resources, research and analysis, marketing and branding, tax, product registration, and marketing at scientific congresses and science and technology exhibitions needed to be added to the framework. In the Delphi study, 68 out of 74 components proposed in the initial framework were approved across four major dimensions; namely, prerequisites, production, payments and costs, and post-production services. Conclusions It seems that the developed framework can facilitate commercializing telehealth technologies and developing business plans. In addition, telehealth start-ups can use this framework and its various components in a competitive market to be more successful in their businesses. However, it is still critical to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework in practice and in relation to the commercialization of telehealth technologies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T19:31:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70085e592abe42ceaa7ad0060aa5f965 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T19:31:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making |
| spelling | doaj.art-70085e592abe42ceaa7ad0060aa5f9652022-12-22T04:06:58ZengBMCBMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making1472-69472022-10-0122111510.1186/s12911-022-02011-4The 4P telehealth business framework for IranFarnia Velayati0Haleh Ayatollahi1Morteza Hemmat2Reza Dehghan3Telemedicine Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesHealth Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical SciencesSaveh University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Entrepreneurship, Virtual University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Telehealth services can utilize various information technologies and improve quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery by facilitating education, treatment, follow-up, and decision-making. However, these services are not always commercialized, and in case of commercialization, there is no guarantee for their long-term sustainability in market. Therefore, business models and frameworks are used as part of commercialization processes to identify a set of factors affecting the sustainability, effectiveness, and key business activities. The current study aimed to develop a telehealth business framework for Iran. Methods This research was conducted in 2021, and a mixed-methods approach was used for data collection. Initially, a telehealth business framework was developed based on the findings derived from a systematic review and a qualitative research. The proposed framework was then reviewed by an expert panel (n = 9) in which the participants had at least three years of work experience in telehealth. Finally, the framework was validated using the Delphi method (three rounds). Results The expert panel believed that some components such as partners’ expertise, required capital and financial resources, research and analysis, marketing and branding, tax, product registration, and marketing at scientific congresses and science and technology exhibitions needed to be added to the framework. In the Delphi study, 68 out of 74 components proposed in the initial framework were approved across four major dimensions; namely, prerequisites, production, payments and costs, and post-production services. Conclusions It seems that the developed framework can facilitate commercializing telehealth technologies and developing business plans. In addition, telehealth start-ups can use this framework and its various components in a competitive market to be more successful in their businesses. However, it is still critical to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework in practice and in relation to the commercialization of telehealth technologies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-02011-4Health service marketingBusinessTelemedicineTelehealth |
| spellingShingle | Farnia Velayati Haleh Ayatollahi Morteza Hemmat Reza Dehghan The 4P telehealth business framework for Iran BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making Health service marketing Business Telemedicine Telehealth |
| title | The 4P telehealth business framework for Iran |
| title_full | The 4P telehealth business framework for Iran |
| title_fullStr | The 4P telehealth business framework for Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | The 4P telehealth business framework for Iran |
| title_short | The 4P telehealth business framework for Iran |
| title_sort | 4p telehealth business framework for iran |
| topic | Health service marketing Business Telemedicine Telehealth |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-02011-4 |
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