title: Envisioning patient safety in Telehealth: a research perspective.
abstract: This article explores the need for research into patient safety in large-scale Telehealth systems faced with the perspective of its development extended to healthcare systems. Telehealth systems give rise to significant advantages in improving the quality of healthcare services as well as bringing about the possibility of new types of risk. A theoretical framework is proposed for patient safety for its approach as an emerging property in complex socio-technical systems (CSTS) and their modelling in layers. As regards this framework, the differential characteristic Telehealth elements of the system have been identified, with a greater emphasis on the level of Telehealth system and its typical subsystems. The bases of the analysis are based on references in the literature and the experience accumulated by the researchers in the area. In particular, a case describing an example of Telehealth to control patients undergoing treatment with oral anticoagulants is used. As a result, a series of areas of research into and topics regarding Telehealth patient safety are proposed to cover the detectable gaps. Both the theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed and future perspectives are reflected on.
authors.affiliation: Telemedicine and e-Health Unit, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain ; Unidad de Investigación en Telemedicina y e-Salud, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Pabellón 14, Avda. Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Monteagudo
authors.affiliation: Telemedicine and e-Health Unit, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.affiliation: William Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies of the National Defense University, Washington, DC USA.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kun
keywords: Complex socio-technical systems; Healthcare; Patient safety; Telehealth