title: Hype, harmony and human factors: applying user-centered design to achieve sustainable telehealth program adoption and growth.
abstract: Despite decades of international experience with the use of information and communication technologies in healthcare delivery, widespread telehealth adoption remains limited and progress slow. Escalating health system challenges related to access, cost and quality currently coincide with rapid advancement of affordable and reliable internet based communication technologies creating unprecedented opportunities and incentives for telehealth. In this paper, we will describe how Human Factors Engineering (HFE) and user-centric elements have been incorporated into the establishment of telehealth within a large academic medical center to increase acceptance and sustainability. Through examples and lessons learned we wish to increase awareness of HFE and its importance in the successful implementation, innovation and growth of telehealth programs.
authors.affiliation: UHN Telehealth Program, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, University Health Network, Toronto.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rossos
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: St-Cyr
authors.affiliation: UHN Telehealth Program, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, University Health Network, Toronto.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Purdy
authors.affiliation: UHN Telehealth Program, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, University Health Network, Toronto.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toenjes
authors.affiliation: UHN Telehealth Program, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, University Health Network, Toronto.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masino
authors.affiliation: UHN Telehealth Program, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, University Health Network, Toronto.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chmelnitsky
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009864:Ontario; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*