Towards a Typology for Telemedical Services

Abstract

This research-in-progress (RIP) paper presents a typology for describing and classifying telemedical services (TMS). As TMS are highly heterogeneous and complex, our objective is to provide an overview of TMS and to reduce the complexity of handling the highly distinctive TMS. Our typology is based on 13 well-described dimensions (e.g. purpose), each represented by a set of attributes (e.g. cure, palliation, prevention or rehabilitation). Based on this, we want to enable a representation of a highly aggregated overview of the TMS domain that fosters understandability and systematic differentiation of TMS in this interdisciplinary domain. We show that the few existing telemedicine typologies fall short of this purpose. Thus, we adjust and extend these typologies in order to present a new typology that suits the current demands. In this paper, we already show the typology’s applicability in real world scenarios. We thereby contribute by fostering manageability of this complex field for all participants of TMS. This can help with the identification of both well-established structural patterns and best practices of existing TMS, setting a basis for benchmarking opportunities. Further it allows the identification of interesting and promising white spots for future research and service innovations in the telemedicine sector.

Keywords: telemedicine, typology, service system, eHealth