title: Readiness of health-care institutions in KwaZulu-Natal to implement telepsychiatry.
abstract: We assessed the preparedness of health districts and designated hospitals in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province for proposed telepsychiatry services. An e-health readiness questionnaire for developing countries was administered to managers of health districts and managers of designated psychiatric hospitals by telephone interview. Ten of the 11 district managers and managers/medical officers of 45 of 58 designated hospitals were interviewed. Notwithstanding some concerns regarding the tool, low levels of e-health readiness were found. District managers recorded e-health readiness scores of 137-217 out of 300. This was similar to the hospital managers, who recorded readiness scores of 121-260 out of 300. For telepsychiatry to succeed in KZN, an awareness programme will be required to facilitate the necessary change management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Telehealth, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pvt Bag 7 Congella 4013, Durban, South Africa. chipps@ukzn.ac.za
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chipps
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mars
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration