Exploring Digital Transformation Strategies in Healthcare: Integration of Telemedicine and Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems

Abstract

Telemedicine and Electronic Health Records (EHR) are a combination that significantly drove digital transformation in the healthcare sector. This study addresses the question: How does the integration of telemedicine and Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems affect the efficiency, accessibility, and quality of healthcare services? The importance of this study is best understood in the background of the increasing need for practical, affordable, and patient-centered solutions, particularly in the post-COVID-19 world and the progression of digital health solutions. Methodologically, the study uses a literature review conducted using research retrieved from peer-reviewed scientific journals. Databases used for search include Google Scholar, Scopus, ResearchGate, and ScienceDirect. The collected information was thematically organized into themes and sub-themes to present the results systematically. Generally, the review looks at the literature on telemedicine and EHR systems separately to determine their joint influence on the overall delivery of healthcare services and patients’ satisfaction. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) concepts are used to assess the influencing factors related to the adoption and impacts of these technologies. The main findings show that the successful implementation of telemedicine and EHR provides a better opportunity to increase the access of patients and, at the same time, reduce healthcare workers' workload and increase patient revisit. However, challenges like technical integration, security of information, and training and follow-up still need to be solved. These results imply that it is necessary to deal with these challenges using phased approaches of implementing innovations, involving all relevant stakeholders, and providing ongoing education. Thus, this study contributed to the growing body of knowledge and helped identify possible approaches to improving integration perspectives of digital business models in the healthcare industry.