Department of Industrial Engineering

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Browsing Department of Industrial Engineering by browse.metadata.advisor "Adele, Botha"

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    A framework for developing remote patient management systems in South Africa.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Barimwotubiri, Ruyobeza; Sara (Saartjie), Grobbelaar; Adele, Botha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Digital health technologies have for several years been expected to reduce the skyrocketing health related costs and the care burden on traditional healthcare systems. One type of digital health technology expected to significantly improve the quality of, and access to, primary healthcare services is Remote Patient Management Systems. Based on a combination of rapid advances in body sensors, information and communication technologies, as well as artificial intelligence, it is hoped that remote patient management tools and systems (RPMTS) will improve the efficiency and quality of traditional healthcare systems. However, the adoption of the above systems has been extremely slow, especially in developing countries, where they ought to have made the greatest positive impact. Scholars have offered several valuable, insightful, and pertinent contributions to address the above challenge. However, in most cases, these contributions are atomistic, transitory, nonspatial, and dispersed. This study proposes an integrated process framework to guide and support developers in improving RPMTS adoption and scaling. The framework is developed based on existing literature on technology adoption and scaling theories and frameworks, as well as insights from industry practitioners, and integrated through design science research (DSR) methodology. As part of the DSR methodology, proposed novel and restructured concepts and frameworks were evaluated through a statistical survey and semi-structured interviews. Furthermore, a modified, two-round Delphi study was conducted to evaluate the framework's relevance and utility. The study's conclusions and recommendations emanated from the barriers identified in the extant literature and were confirmed through the field studies conducted in this research project. These include defining adoption success and failure ahead of RPMTS' design and development, interweaving adoption and scaling requirements into system development and project management activities, and the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation across RPMTS lifecycle phases.