ICT and Primary Health Care in Germany: Patterns of Innovation Adoption and Dissemination

Abstract

The research explores the current state of information and communication technologies (ICT) in primary health care, as well as its adoption and implementation patterns in Germany. The research looks also into financial, sociocultural, political, legal and other challenges in introducing and implementing innovative information technologies, as well as gaps and needs in ICT health systems. Based on data collected by application of explorative and qualitative methods as well as the Grounded theory as a main analytical framework, a new theoretical framework was developed after identifying and integrating several conceptual models. The new theoretical model extends and integrates Roger’s theory on Diffusion of Innovation, Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of planned Behavior and Technology Acceptance Model.