Development of a Conceptual Framework for Smart Hospitals: A Qualitative Study in Iran

TL;DR

This study outlines a conceptual framework for smart hospitals in Iran, focusing on key dimensions like management, care, and technology to improve healthcare quality and efficiency.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel conceptual model for smart hospitals in Iran, derived from expert interviews and thematic analysis.

Findings

The framework includes five main themes: Management and Leadership, Care and Treatment, Information and Communication Systems, Medical Equipment, and Structures and Facilities.

The model emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary collaboration, optimized resource use, and adherence to health standards.

Key objectives identified include reducing medical errors, enhancing patient safety, and adapting to emerging technologies.

Abstract

The concept of a smart hospital refers to an advanced care model aimed at improving quality of care while using resources efficiently. This study aims to develop a comprehensive conceptual model that clearly defines the key dimensions of smart hospitals.

This qualitative study was conducted in 2024. The participants included 22 health system managers with a minimum of 5 years of managerial experience, alongside policymakers and scientific experts familiar with the concept of smart hospitals in Iran. Data were collected through targeted semi‐structured interviews, followed by snowball sampling until data saturation was reached. The interview questions focused on the concepts and dimensions of smart hospitals. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed, meaning units were identified, coded, and classified based on similarities and patterns. Themes were then extracted and analyzed using content analysis.

The analysis identified 5 main themes, 21 subthemes, and 94 items. These themes included: Management and Leadership (control, human resource, financial resource, planning, and management dashboard), Care and Treatment (inpatient services, outpatient services, pharmaceutical services, and health promotion), Information and Communication Systems (health files, communication infrastructure, information infrastructure, and network management), Medical Equipment (therapeutic equipment, diagnostic equipment, detection equipment, and rehabilitation equipment), and Structures and Facilities (energy management, risk management, waste management, and smart facilities).

The smart hospital concept is complex, requiring multidisciplinary collaboration and adherence to health standards. Success depends on optimizing resources, strengthening policies and planning, enhancing information systems, upgrading facilities, and prioritizing smart care processes and medical equipment.

The concept of a smart hospital represents a comprehensive care model aimed at improving care quality and ensuring sustainable resource utilization.Key objectives include reducing medical errors, enhancing patient safety, achieving cost efficiency, automating processes, and adapting to emerging technologies.To achieve this vision, it is essential to optimize existing capacities, strengthen policy and planning components, and organize resources effectively and efficiently.

The concept of a smart hospital represents a comprehensive care model aimed at improving care quality and ensuring sustainable resource utilization.

Key objectives include reducing medical errors, enhancing patient safety, achieving cost efficiency, automating processes, and adapting to emerging technologies.

To achieve this vision, it is essential to optimize existing capacities, strengthen policy and planning components, and organize resources effectively and efficiently.

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