Tracking the influence of knowledge sharing on innovations in healthcare: the case of development of e-health in Lithuania

Abstract

Many countries experience a vast of challenges that are being encountered during the process of design, development and implementation of innovative information and communication technologies (ICT) in healthcare known as e‐health solutions. Among these challenges the most ambitious are ensuring of close cooperation, consistent knowledge sharing and coherent stakeholders’ participation in decision making. The research aims to investigate existing communications and extension of knowledge sharing among different actors engaged in e‐health, and to explore the influence of stakeholders’ engagement on the integrity of e‐health. The case of Lithuania was selected as a field for empirical studies as its e‐health national system, which is being developed since 2006, is not yet fully functioning. 24 semistructural interviews with heads of administrations, medical staff and ICT specialists from hospitals and primary health care (PHC) institutions were conducted. Interviews with employees of institutions shaping policy and governing e‐health are planned as a next stage of the research. Preliminary research results revealed that participants in e‐health development agree on the significance of cooperation in creation of information systems (IS). Participation is compulsory for employees on all levels – administrators, doctors, nurses, and ICT specialists have to be involved. However, until now knowledge share on e‐health solutions remains vague and only noticed on individual communication level and during the operation of temporary working groups. No platform for e‐health stakeholders’ networking, communication and knowledge sharing is developed yet.