Trust, trait theory, and collaboration in telemedicine: A circumplex perspective

H. G. Brown, M. S. Poole, T. L. Rodgers, K. Van Walsum

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

More than a process-automating tool, telemedicine is increasingly recognized for its ability to facilitate collaboration and knowledge creation between disparate healthcare providers. As trust is being demonstrated to affect positively the collaborative effort of practitioners and the concomitant, as well as subsequent impact on quality of health care delivery, the questions arise, What are the interpersonal traits of practitioners that contribute to a constructive and continuing telemedicine-centered collaboration? Furthermore, how do these interpersonal traits translate into specific types of interactions that maximize telecollaboration? These questions are especially germane as much telemedicine equipment remains underutilized, and administrators concern themselves with sustainability. Previous work has largely centered on relational variables affecting trust in collaboration, such as competence, reputation, and trustworthiness, but has neglected the personal characteristics that might impact participants' proclivity to collaborate and trust. This paper introduces the circumplex model as a framework for understanding the development of trust in collaborative telemedicine. The circumplex posits that interpersonal interaction can be explained along the two dimensions of power and affiliation. Sixteen personality traits may be arrayed in a circular or clockwise fashion around the psychological axis of Dominance and Nurturance. Recent causal modeling studies - of the relational relationships between the dimensions of the circumplex theory of interpersonal interaction and measures of interpersonal trust - have found that the circumplex dimensions of Dominance and Nurturance are sign positive predictors of interpersonal trust. Understanding these interpersonal characteristics of individuals may help address the constraints impeding telemedicine usage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 36th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2003
EditorsRalph H. Sprague
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)0769518745, 9780769518749
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes
Event36th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2003 - Big Island, United States
Duration: Jan 6 2003Jan 9 2003

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 36th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2003

Other

Other36th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2003
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBig Island
Period1/6/031/9/03

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Information Systems
  • Computer Science Applications

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