Designing enabling regulatory frameworks to facilitate the diffusion of wireless technology solutions in healthcare.

Abstract

Pervasive e-health solutions are emerging as a solution to address key challenges faced in healthcare delivery including escalating costs and the exponential increase of chronic diseases. However, existing regulatory regimes appear to be one of the key stumbling blocks in trying to successfully diffuse these proven superior technology solutions. This is largely due to the fact that they are ill-equipped for dealing with them. The following exploratory study serves to investigate institutional regulatory factors that can impact the adoption of such pervasive solutions. These factors are important as they can shape both the nature of these solutions and their diffusion trajectory. In particular it is argued that co-regulation, a mixture of direct monitoring and intervention of regulators through legislation and complete industry self-regulation, can be an effective approach especially in view of the complex and dynamic nature of this industry. Co-regulation can minimize monitoring costs and enhance compliance. A case vignette is provided to illustrate these points.