Survey Determinant Factors of Telemedicine Strategic Planning from the Managers and Experts Perspective in the Health Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

INTRODUCTION: Awareness of Outlook, objectives, benefits and impact of telemedicine technology that can promote services quality, reduce costs, increase access to Specialized and subspecialty services, and immediately guide the health system subconsciously to the introduction greater use of technology. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the telemedicine strategic planning from the managers and experts perspective in the health department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, in order to take a step towards facilitating strategic planning and approaching the equity aim in health in the province. METHOD: This is a descriptive–analytical study, that data collection was done cross-sectional. The study population was composed of all managers and certified experts at the health department in Isfahan university of Medical Sciences. The sample size was 60 patients according to inclusion criteria. Information was collected by interview method. Researcher attempted to use the structured and specific questionnaire Then were investigated the viewpoints of experts and managers about determinative factors (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) in the strategic planning telemedicine. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean) and software SPSS 19. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that change management (100%) and continuity of supply of credit (79/3%) were weakness point within the organization and strengths of the program were, identity and health telemedicine programs (100%), goals and aspirations of the current directors of the organization and its compliance with the goals of telemedicine (100%), human resources interested using computers in daily activities in peripheral levels (93/1%). Also organization in the field of IT professionals, had opportunities, and repayment specialist's rights by insurance organizations is a threat for it. CONCLUSIONS: According to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats points determined by managers and experts, and compare it with success and failure factors, which are defined by different researchers, it seems will be fail to implement of telemedicine in the province at present. But according to the strengths identified by managers and experts, there are a lot of potential for telemedicine in the province, and may be used, in relation to telemedicine projects, with a 3 or 5 year strategic plan, and taking steps to get closer to the equity aim in health.