Technological innovations in health care: Challenges of managing telehealth technology in South Africa

Advancement in the information technology industry and improved communication technologies has made telehealth an increasingly viable health care delivery alternative for emerging economies like South Africa. Simply stated telehealth is the use of electronic information and communication technologies to provide and support health care when distance separates the participants. This paper reports a pilot study in the East Cape Province, South Africa. It discusses challenges of managing telehealth systems in rural areas of South Africa. The objective of the study was to highlight and create awareness of technological management constraints in the delivery of telehealth services in the rural areas of South Africa.