Abstract
Objective: Medical technologies are significant components of healthcare costs. Literature indicated that organizational and
professional factors play role to understand patterns of diffusion, but there is still a scant of knowledge on how professional
factors influence the adoption. This study aims to understand how inter-physician relations affect the adoption of a robotic
surgical system in the Italian National Health Service (NHS). Methods: This study is part of the Research Project financed
by the Italian National Agency for Regional Healthcare (Age.Na.S) entitled “Tools and methods to regulate the processes of
technological, clinical and organizational innovation in the NHS. An integrated system of research”. Through a systematic
literature review we identified the specialties using the surgical system. We sampled potential adopters, submitting a
sociometric questionnaire to medical directors. We gathered data on physicians’ attributional characteristics, first and current
use, perceived determinants of adoption and the social networks through which information are exchanged. Forty physicians
completed the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and social network analysis techniques were used. Results: Professional
ties play a major role for technology adoption and diffusion. The first adoption is influenced by “word of mouth” and scientific
articles, suggesting the attitude towards evidence-based medicine. The current level of adoption is significantly correlated to the
ties with colleagues. Our analysis unravels the presence of opinion leaders in the network and the variability in the year of first
adoption and the patterns of diffusion. Conclusion: Our study provides contribution to the healthcare management literature.
Firstly, the integration should enhance the diffusion and sustainability of innovation within healthcare organizations. Secondly,
policy makers who easily identify opinion leaders should implement strategies to facilitate the diffusion of technologies as well
as to hinder the adoption of those whose effectiveness appears questionable. We greatly acknowledge Thomas Jefferson, head
of the Age.Na.S research project.
Lingua originale | English |
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Titolo della pubblicazione ospite | HTA for Health Systems Sustainability |
Pagine | 1-461 |
Numero di pagine | 461 |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2011 |
Evento | HTAi Annual Meeting - Rio de Janeiro Durata: 27 giu 2011 → 29 mag 2015 |
Convegno
Convegno | HTAi Annual Meeting |
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Città | Rio de Janeiro |
Periodo | 27/6/11 → 29/5/15 |
Keywords
- Health Technologies
- Professional Networks