Being Spontaneous: The Future of Telehealth Implementation?

摘要

Introduction: The smartphone simplifies interprofessional communication, and smartphone applications can facilitate telemedicine activity. Much has been written about the steps that need to be followed to implement and establish a successful telemedicine service that is integrated into everyday clinical practice. A traditional and systematic approach has evolved incorporating activities such as strategy development, needs assessment, business cases and plans, readiness assessment, implementation plans, change management interventions, and ongoingmonitoring and evaluation. This "best practice'' has been promoted in the telehealth literature for many years. In contrast, several recent initiatives have arisen without any such formal undertakings. This articledescribes the strengths andweaknesses of two "spontaneous'' telemedicine services in dermatology and burn management that have evolved in South Africa.