Connecting multistakeholder analysis across connected health solutions

Connected Health can be described as a patient- or consumer-centred socio-technical healthcare management model which exploits the use of information and communication technology (ICT) during clinical or wellness decision- making tasks. It facilitates the connectivity of information sources and extends healthcare services and processes beyond traditional healthcare institutions. However, while much of the emphasis has been on developing the technology to facilitate Connected Health, there are few efforts that have established an evaluation model to encapsulate and assess the value and potential impact of Connected Health solutions, particularly from multiple stakeholders’ perspectives. Many information systems (IS) and health information systems (HIS) models are narrow in their evaluation focus. We present the Connected Health Evaluation Framework (CHEF), which offers a generic approach that encapsulates a holistic view of a Connected Health evaluation process. It focuses on four key domains: end-user perception, business growth, quality management and healthcare practice. We present a case study on the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) and describe the multi-stakeholder analysis challenge which this presents from an evaluation perspective. We also explore how CHEF could have guided more successful outcomes though our evaluation process.