Critical Environmental Factors that Affects the Implementation of Ehealth, Kenya

Abstract

Information technology is used to offer Health services, the use of computers in health is referred to as eHealth. The benefits of using eHealth is enormous, however people have not appreciated it fully because of problematic factors associated with its adoption and implementation. The main objective of the study was to investigate the environmental factors that influences the adoption and implementation of eHealth in Kenya. The study was guided by technology organization and environmental framework (TOE) as the base that informed it. This study used quantitative approach methods. The quantitative research used the deductive research approach. This was achieved by using primary research where organized questionnaire was deployed for the interaction with primary research responded. The respondents were individuals or experts with knowledge of eHealth, ICT in health care service provider’s facilities at the county referral hospital and other health facilities in Kakamega county in Kenya. The results suggest that there is a significant statistical relationship between the environmental sub factors and decision to adopt and implement eHealth technology. The findings advocate that for adoption and implementation of the eHealth technology do not just rely on technical expertise to evaluate the technology but also evaluate the environmental factors of the organization. This study mutually supports and contrasts previous findings providing new insights and avenues for future study.