Title: The use of knowledge management in telemedicine and perceived effects on patient care activities

Authors: Jami L. DelliFraine, Kathryn H. Dansky, Jill S. Rumberger

Addresses: Fleming Centre for Healthcare Management, Division of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, 1200 Herman Pressler, RAS E925 Houston, TX 77030, USA. ' Department of Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, 116 Henderson University Park, PA 16801, USA. ' School of Public Affairs, The Pennsylvania State University – Capital College, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057, USA

Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between telemedicine Knowledge Management (KM) activities and nurses| perceived efficiency and effectiveness of telemedicine in home health. Drawing from KM concepts, we propose that nurses who engage more frequently in telemedicine KM activities perceive telemedicine to contribute to efficiency and effectiveness of care. Primary data were collected from 917 nurses from 2004-2005. Results indicate a significant association between combined explicit and tacit KM activities using telemedicine and perceived efficiency and effectiveness of telemedicine. We conclude that telemedicine KM activities have a positive impact on perceived efficiency and effectiveness of care in home health.

Keywords: telemedicine; telehomecare; home health; KM; knowledge management; patient care; home care; nurse efficiency; care effectiveness; nurses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2009.025829

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2009 Vol.10 No.3, pp.196 - 209

Accepted: 13 Nov 2008
Published online: 24 May 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article