2014 DHB Telehealth Stocktake

In 2014 The National Health IT Board commissioned the NZ Telehealth Forum to undertake a stocktake to provide a better understanding of the current uptake of telehealth technologies within New Zealand. This report presents the results of Phase 1 of the stocktake, which surveyed telehealth activity in New Zealand’s twenty district health boards. Phase 2, was a survey of Primary Health Organisations and Non-Government Organisations.

The chief executive of each district health board was asked to nominate an individual to be responsible for completing the survey, and the questionnaires were sent to the nominees.

SURVEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED

  • governance
  • the use of videoconferencing for current and planned clinical services
  • the supporting technical infrastructure
  • other technologies being used or planned
  • evaluations
  • barriers to uptake
  • what support the NZ Telehealth Forum and the National Health IT Board should offer district health boards to enable them to increase their use of telehealth.

The stocktake provided a baseline from which to measure progress, and an information resource to enable new investment in telehealth to be more effectively deployed. It will also be used to help to build a network of telehealth expertise, and to identify the barriers to further progress.

Further information

To receive copies of the full report prepared for the Ministry of Health by Pat Kerr, Principal Consultant, NZ Telehealth Forum, please email: help@telehealth.co.nz