Advocating a Quality Assurance Model for the Implementation of E-Health Solutions in Rural South Africa

This companion-discussion paper advocates the need for a quality assurance model for successful acquisition of e-health solutions in rural healthcare centres. We argue that the quality of the entire system is highly influenced by the quality of the processes used to acquire, develop, implement and maintain it. Central to these processes is the incorporation of user participation that adopts a 'bottom-up' rather than a 'top-down' approach. We present a selection of literature of relevance to the research work in progress, with a view to understanding ways in which quality assurance methodologies can be used to add value and ensure high quality care and service delivery in rural South Africa.