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Dissertation Information for Theresa Smith Welsh

NAME:
- Theresa Smith Welsh

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville (USA) (2002)

ADVISORS:
- Carol Tenopir

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Gretchen Whitney
- Susan Dimmick
- Herbert H. Howard
- Samuel Grady Burgiss

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Organizational structure of telehealth care: An examination of four types of telemedicine systems

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to make recommendations for a sustainable telemedicine system by examining the structural attributes of telemedicine across and within different types of organizations. A survey instrument with two categories, background questions and evaluation questions, was developed and used as a guide to interview eight key informants from four different types of telehealth systems. The eight transcribed interviews were coded using NUD*IST qualitative software. Research publications, archival documents, and government reports were collected to triangulate, or cross check, interview data. Multi-case study methodology was used as a guide to design the research, analyze date, compare results, and make recommendations. A telehealth typology is proposed as well as a simplified conceptual telehealth model and a diffusion of telemedicine model.

While there are some structural differences among the different types of programs, there are many more similarities. All receive funding from multiple sources, and all employ a combination of full and part-time employees. Three core staff categories include administrative, medical, and technical support. Additional categories may include evaluation researchers and project coordinators.

Major barriers to the development or maintenance of a telehealth system are identified as telecommunication costs and lack of infrastructure; physician participation, both referring and providing; concerns about profitability and liability; and lack of internal support and resistance to change.

Factors of organizational structure identified as conducive to growth and sustainability of a telehealth network include: development of a statewide, multi-use network; an advisory oversight group composed of key players in state government, higher education, telecommunications, and healthcare educators; integration of the network into desktop environments; multiple funding strategies; internal support and marketing and external marketing.

Recommendations for developing, growing, and sustaining a teleheatlh network are provided as well as recommendations for further research.


MPACT Scores for Theresa Smith Welsh

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C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:32:58

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Students under Theresa Smith Welsh

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None