{"doi":"10.3233/shti210029","title":"Development of a Conceptual Framework for e-Health Readiness Assessment in the Context of Developing Countries","abstract":"Background: e-Health readiness has been described as the preparedness of healthcare institutions, communities, or individuals for the anticipated change brought by programmes related to ICT use. Assessment of e-health readiness prior to the implementation of e-health innovations can therefore facilitate the process of change for individuals and organisations to adopt e-health programmes and avoid disappointment. The literature shows that although many e-health readiness assessment frameworks and tools exist, none meet all the requirements for e-health readiness assessment in developing countries. The aim of this study was to develop an e-health readiness assessment framework applicable to developing countries. Methods: A three-step process gleaned from the e-health literature (literature review / material collection; analysis / content analysis; consolidation / conceptual framework synthesis), together with iterative and reflective processes based on prior research undertaken by this group, guided framework conceptualisation and design. Results: An evidence-based framework was developed that: incorporates the need to assess readiness for each e-health component separately; identifies government’s central role in engaging all relevant stakeholders; and the need to assess the adequacy of a country’s infrastructure and infostructure prior to e-health planning and possible implementation. Also addressed by the framework is a need for an e-health readiness assessment to be undertaken using separate tools for technical and non-technical individuals. A country’s e-Readiness is highlighted as an important indicator for e-health readiness. Conclusions: The intent of the final framework is to inform and assist policy and decision makers, and facilitate future successful implementation of e-health initiatives in the developing world.","journal":"Studies in health technology and informatics","year":2021,"id":201126,"datarank":0.33415005137978243,"base_score":2.0794415416798357,"endowment":2.0794415416798357,"self_citation_contribution":0.31191623125197543,"citation_network_contribution":0.02223382012780698,"self_endowment_contribution":0.31191623125197543,"citer_contribution":0.02223382012780698,"corpus_percentile":null,"corpus_rank":null,"citation_count":7,"citer_count":2,"citers_with_citation_signal":1,"citers_with_endowment":1,"datacite_reuse_total":0,"is_dataset":false,"is_dataset_confidence":0.956,"is_data_producer":false,"deposit_databanks":null,"is_oa":true,"file_count":0,"downloads":0,"has_version_chain":false,"published_date":"2021-01-01","fair_score":null,"fair_percentile":null,"algorithm_id":"datarank_citation_only_1hop_v6","ranking_scope":"data_only","authors":[{"id":320921,"name":"Richard E. Scott","orcid":"0000-0002-9036-7070","position":1,"is_corresponding":false},{"id":320922,"name":"Maurice Mars","orcid":"0000-0001-8784-780X","position":2,"is_corresponding":false},{"id":320920,"name":"Kabelo Leonard Mauco","orcid":"0000-0002-9726-5966","position":0,"is_corresponding":true}],"reference_count":34,"raw_metadata":{"citation_network_status":"fetched"},"created_at":"2026-07-18T23:50:52.535403Z","pmid":null,"pmcid":null,"fwci":null,"citation_percentile":null,"influential_citations":0,"oa_status":null,"license":null,"views":0,"total_file_size_bytes":0,"version_count":0,"fair_f":null,"fair_a":null,"fair_i":null,"fair_r":null,"fair_zscore":null,"fair_rationale":null,"fair_model":null,"fair_agent_version":null,"fair_fulltext_source":null,"fair_has_llm":null,"fair_computed_at":null,"clinical_trials":[],"software_tools":[],"db_accessions":[],"linked_datasets":[],"topics":[]}