Implementing store-and-forward telemedicine: organizational issues

Abstract

This article documents a study of an organization's cultural readiness for successful implementation of a store-and-forward telemedicine system in a military health care environment. The study focused on the organization's cultural attributes that reflect its learning propensity and thereby its capability to adapt effectively and utilize the new technology. Results suggest that the organization did not possess the most favorable attributes for the utilization of a new technology, and the utilization of the new system was significantly lower than expected during the first 6 months of implementation.