Telemedicine implementation framework for Malaysia: An integrated SWOT-MCDM approach

Objectives

Despite the increase in the utilization of telemedicine worldwide, especially during the pandemic, its implementation in Malaysia's healthcare industry remains scarce. Hence, this study aims to understand the current state of telemedicine utilization by identifying the constraints and establishing the optimum telemedicine implementation strategy.

Methods

The study proposes an integrated methodology based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, analytical hierarchy process entropy (AHPE), and fuzzy technique for order performance by similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS). The SWOT analysis is performed for the situational assessment of telemedicine technology in Malaysia. Each element of SWOT was assessed using AHPE to establish priorities, followed by the FTOPSIS approach to provide strategies for its successful adoption.

Results

The findings show that continuous government support and encouragement for market acquisition, cost-cutting, profit-maximizing, and Internet of Things (IoT)-based adoption to establish a strong telemedicine network is the most important strategy for telemedicine technology implementation. While using a structured method to improve service quality, the implementation of a knowledge-sharing management program for telemedicine technology is ranked as the least preferred telemedicine technology implementation strategy.

Conclusions

The study suggests a systematic way of developing and evaluating telemedicine technology implementation strategies for further improving Malaysian healthcare patient experiences and policy endeavours. This study proposed alternative strategies to expand telemedicine technology implementation. It is hoped that this study could further enhance knowledge and serve as a guide for stakeholders in the healthcare industry to understand their business environment better.