Key factors influencing the use of telemedicine technology in Iran: Expert: s View Points

Telemedicine Technology is the main factor for capacity building as well as quality improvement of health services. Due to economic and social impact، systematic plan to acquire and use this technology was the dominant view and so it is important to move toward it. The aim of this study is to determine key factors influencing the use of telemedicine technology with studying expert›s viewpoints. The method of this research was a descriptive survey. In this research we used Delphi technique and purposive sampling method. A questionnaire with 3 main parts was used for data gathering. SPSS software was used to analyze these data. The findings of this research shows that all the key factors obtained from other countries experiences and the majority of National Innovation System factors are necessary in the opinion of experts. From the total score of 790، current situation of Iran obtained 297 scores that were 38 percent of total score. The most weakness for implementation of telemedicine technology was reported for coordination، intellectual property right and access to knowledge. The most capability of this technology is increasing access to health services. In the current situation of Iran، the best way to use telemedicine technology is to develop a national master plan as well as strengthening infrastructures and internal empowering.