Abstract
The article by Catan et al. presents a benchmarking exercise comparing Israel and Portugal on the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies in the healthcare sector. Special attention was given to e-Health and m-Health. The authors collected information via a set of interviews with key stakeholders. They compared two different cultures and societies, which have reached slightly different implementation outcomes. Although the comparison is very enlightening, it is also challenging.Benchmarking exercises present a set of challenges, such as the choice of methodologies and the assessment of the impact on organizational strategy. Precise benchmarking methodology is a valid tool for eliciting information about alternatives for improving health systems. However, many beneficial interventions, which benchmark as effective, fail to translate into meaningful healthcare outcomes across contexts. There is a relationship between results and the innovational and competitive environments.Differences in healthcare governance and financing models are well known; but little is known about their impact on Information and Communication Technology implementation. The article by Catan et al. provides interesting clues about this issue. Public systems (such as those of Portugal, UK, Sweden, Spain, etc.) present specific advantages and disadvantages concerning Information and Communication Technology development and implementation. Meanwhile, private systems based fundamentally on insurance packages, (such as Israel, Germany, Netherlands or USA) present a different set of advantages and disadvantages - especially a more open context for innovation.Challenging issues from both the Portuguese and Israeli cases will be addressed. Clearly, more research is needed on both benchmarking methodologies and on ICT implementation strategies.
Highlights
The study by Catan et al [1] uses an exploratory approach, fundamentally to perform a benchmarking exercise comparing Israel and Portugal on the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the healthcare sector
As innovation is the use of new ideas, or concepts, to improve processes; it requires that ICT solutions provide real value to health professionals
Innovation in different competitive environments Benchmarking presents a set of challenges, such as methodology choice and actual impact assessment
Summary
The study by Catan et al [1] uses an exploratory approach, fundamentally to perform a benchmarking exercise comparing Israel and Portugal on the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the healthcare sector. Background The study by Catan et al [1] uses an exploratory approach, fundamentally to perform a benchmarking exercise comparing Israel and Portugal on the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the healthcare sector. Both Israel and Portugal are amongst the most developed countries concerning ICT use in the public sector [2]. Comparing healthcare ICT in Israel and Portugal could represent an opportunity to provide important information for policy making, as both countries are clearly supporting a strategy towards better ICT in healthcare.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
