Identifying the Opportunities and Challenges of Establishing an Information Therapy Center Publisher



Mahnajafabadi A¹ ; Ghasemi AH² ; Papi A³ ; Zarefarashbandi F³ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Health Administration Published:2022

Abstract

Introduction: Information therapy is a simple solution to facilitate patients' access to health information, which can contribute to patient self-care. Considering the importance of treatment and health information, and engagement of people with different specialties in the process of information therapy, this research was conducted to identify the opportunities and challenges of establishing an information therapy center. Methods: The present study was an applied-qualitative research. The study population included patients, medical librarians, physicians, health care providers, and psychologists with experience in information therapy and health information prescription. A purposive sampling along with snowball sampling were perfomed. The data were collected via a semi-structured interview. The data were then analyzed by using MAQDA20 software. Results: By analysing the interviews, we were able to identify a main class entitled Benefits of Information Therapy including 4 subclasses of “patients and families”, “medical staff”, “health system”, and “medical librarians” under the main themes of Opportunities. Under the andChallenges, four subclasses of “barriers to information therapy”, “financial issues”, “implementation”, and “execution” were also identified. Conclusion: Despite the benefits of establishing an information therapy center for patients and their families, treatment staff, psychologists and medical librarians, there are some obstacles posed by these groups and the healthcare system, which require further consideration. Careful investigation and finding solutions to remove the obstacles as well as creating an approprite platform to adopt the center in the society and health sector. In order to establish this center, it is necessary to consider inter-group and inter-organizational cooperation with detailed planning, as well. © 2022, Journal of Health Administration. All Rights Reserved.