JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Providing health services using telehealth is a good approach to balance supply and demand in health care services. Because telehealth technologies may fail during implementation, business models can be useful in improving the odds of success and commercialization of these technologies.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to review the types of business models used in the field of telehealth and their components.

Methods:

This study was a systematic review conducted in 2020. Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Emerald, and ProQuest databases and Google scholar search engine were used to finding related articles. Out of 4998 articles found, 23 articles were selected for inclusion in the study. Then, data were extracted based on the data extraction form, and the results were expressed narratively.

Results:

The findings showed that in 13 studies, new business models in the field of telehealth were presented and in the other ten studies, existing business models were used. These studies were performed in various areas of telehealth such as telemedicine, mobile health, telerehabilitation, telemonitoring, mobile teledermoscopy, teleradiology, assisted living technologies, and sensor-based systems.

Conclusions:

The application of business models plays a vital role in the successful implementation and commercialization of telehealth technologies. However, in choosing a business framework or model, one must consider components that are appropriate to the context and purpose of the telehealth technology and the conditions under which it is used. Although several business models have been used in this area, it seems necessary to review and compare the effectiveness of these models in different areas. Clinical Trial: 11111111