Patel Reena N, Antonarakis Gregory S
Mottingham Special Care Dental Clinic, London, UK.
Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2013 Oct;41(5):424-31. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12029. Epub 2012 Dec 13.
Utilizing Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory, this study aims to develop a better understanding of the challenges faced in teledental projects, and outline the factors that impact upon the adoption and implementation of teledental projects, with a focus on orthodontics, thus attempting to provide an explanation for the low uptake in the UK, as well as to suggest factors to encourage success.
A literature search was carried out to obtain information concerning teledentistry (and telemedicine) from both primary and secondary research sources. Using the relevant information obtained, Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory was used as a framework, which was subsequently applied to the key stakeholder groups of a healthcare organization.
The model describes five characteristics of an innovation: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability. These attributes are discussed in the context of key stakeholder groups within a healthcare organization: clinicians, patients, hospital managers, and healthcare decision-makers and funders. Each stakeholder group is motivated by different values and experiences, which in turn influence their decision to adopt a new technology.
Implementing teledental applications necessitates full comprehension and consideration of the healthcare environment and also a commitment to completely integrate teledentistry within that environment. This is a process that demands strategic alignment with clinical and organizational goals, clinical engagement and strong political support. The challenges within each stakeholder group must be specifically targeted.
运用罗杰斯的创新扩散理论，本研究旨在更深入地了解远程牙科项目所面临的挑战，概述影响远程牙科项目采用和实施的因素，重点关注正畸学，从而试图解释英国远程牙科项目采用率低的原因，并提出促进成功的因素。
进行文献检索，从一手和二手研究来源获取有关远程牙科（和远程医疗）的信息。利用所获得的相关信息，将罗杰斯的创新扩散理论作为框架，随后应用于医疗保健组织的关键利益相关者群体。
该模型描述了创新的五个特征：相对优势、兼容性、复杂性、可试验性和可观察性。在医疗保健组织内的关键利益相关者群体（临床医生、患者、医院管理人员以及医疗保健决策者和资助者）的背景下讨论了这些属性。每个利益相关者群体受不同价值观和经历的驱动，这反过来又影响他们采用新技术的决定。
实施远程牙科应用需要充分理解和考虑医疗保健环境，并且需要致力于将远程牙科完全融入该环境。这是一个需要与临床和组织目标进行战略协调、临床参与以及强有力政治支持的过程。必须专门针对每个利益相关者群体所面临的挑战。
