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FrancoAngeli Journals

Saggi

No. 130 (2024)

Digitalization and sustainability in healthcare: The contribution of telemedicine to SDGs

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/mesa2024-130oa19739
Submitted
marzo 14, 2025
Published
2025-05-14

Abstract

This study empirically investigates the sustainability impact of telemedicine through the perspective of service users, healthcare organizations, and society. To this end, an action research was conducted in a pediatric hospital involved in the implementation of two telemedicine initiatives (a telecardiology service in synergy with the local healthcare setting and an early discharge telemonitoring service) and in the evaluation of their impacts. The study’s findings led to the development and validation of a multidimensional and multistakeholder framework able to assess the impact of telemedicine services in terms of sustainability.
This framework can be used to enhance accountability and decision-making processes both internally and externally. The study demonstrates, in detail, how telemedicine can impact the dimensions of economic, social, and environmental sustainability, taking into account the perspective of service users, healthcare organizations, and society as a whole.

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