Title: Critical success factors for establishing a multidisciplinary health community knowledge management system using internet-based ICTs: the cardiology paradigm

Authors: Yiannis Koumpouros, Gian Luigi Nicolosi, Manuel Martinez-Selles

Addresses: D. Gounari 31, 12131–Peristeri, Greece. ' Chief Cardiology Department, Ospedale Civile, Via Monterale 24, 33170 Pordenone, Italy. ' Hospital Universitario Gregorio Maranon, Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007 – Madrid, Spain

Abstract: The current paper concerns the development of an internet-based Health Community Knowledge Management System in the field of Cardiology. The research conducted covers a wide range of state-of-the-art technologies (ontologies, knowledge management techniques, etc.). The objectives of the final system are: to create an ontology for the modelling of the knowledge base around cardiology, while facilitating every day working needs of the various intended end users. Pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals, and biomedical companies are all interested and are participating in the formation of the virtual community for disseminating valuable knowledge in cardiology. The technological challenges of applying such an internet-based system, as well as the sociocultural and political factors affecting the application of similar internet-based ICTs and the integration with existing processes and systems in healthcare are examined. The research was conducted in three countries/pilot sites (Greece, Spain and Italy) and two experiences for testing purposes are being considered. The work concludes that some of the major success factors are: knowledge critical mass; political commitment and endorsement; well-structured ontology; multilinguality of the content and the system timeless processes; multipartnership participation; patient- and problem-oriented knowledge management system.

Keywords: multidisciplinary knowledge management; ontology; cardiology; internet; critical success factors; health community; ICT; virtual community; web-based communities; information technology; communications; Greece; Spain; Italy; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare; intelligent collaborative networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2006.008437

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.283 - 302

Published online: 20 Dec 2005 *

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