Exploring the Impact of Electronic Health on Total Quality Management in Jordanian Hospitals: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Management Technology

Abstract

The aim of this study is to measure the impact of electronic-health (e-health) on total quality management (TQM) through knowledge management (KM) technology as a mediating variable at the hospitals of Irbid Governorate in Jordan. Six elements of the e-health variable were considered, including e-health records, e-data transmission, e-medical prescriptions, video consultations, medical image sharing, and continuous medical learning. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to a sample of 600 individuals working at 15 different hospitals that apply an e-health system in the Irbid Governorate in Jordan; 566 questionnaires were deemed valid for statistical analysis. The results of this study show that there is a statistically significant impact of e-health on TQM, at level P ≤ 0.05, through the mediating role of KM technology at Irbid Governorate hospitals in Jordan. Although the data were collected from hospitals at the Irbid Governorate in Jordan only, it is hoped the results will have some validity for the rest of hospitals in the Jordanian health system. The most significant recommendation of the study with practical implication is to set TQM as an administrative approach at the hospitals of the governorate of Irbid in Jordan, and require the adoption and implementation of an e-health system as a requirement for all Jordanian hospitals to acquire local accreditation certificate with the overall goal of improving the quality of healthcare.