ABSTRACT
Successfully developing telemedicine systems is primarily about effective change management within an already rapidly changing health-care environment. Information technology plays a central role in the redesign of the health-care system. Telemedicine should be at the front of this change process. N. W. Treister has examined why clinicians often fail to accept new information systems. He quotes 11 reasons and this chapter tabulates all these. All of Treister's reasons apply to telemedicine systems and all must be taken into account when designing them. The chapter discusses seven core principles in successfully developing a telemedicine system. Implementing telemedicine requires an understanding of the healthcare environment and a decision to integrate telemedicine within that environment. A process that involves good business planning, the involvement of a wide range of interested parties and support for clinician drivers, as well as strong corporate and political support, is likely to lead to long-term success.
