Application of information and communication technology (ICT) in health                 information access and dissemination in Uganda

Omona, Walter; Ikoja-Odongo, J. R.

doi:10.1177/0961000606060959

Cited by 12 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In addition, there are limited human resources (IT professionals) to provide technical support due to high staff turn-over and redeployment, a common occurrence in Uganda’s health sector [18]. Despite this, the use of eHealth, and of ICT for communication in and between HFs in Uganda, has recently been documented [19, 20]. For example, within the past 5–10 years, a variety of eHealth and telemedicine initiatives have been trialled.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing core, e-learning, clinical and technology readiness to integrate telemedicine at public health facilities in Uganda: a health facility – based survey

Kiberu

Scott

Mars

2019

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background In developing countries like Uganda, there are shortages of health workers especially medical specialists. The referral process is frustrating to both patients and health workers (HWs). This is due to delays in accessing laboratory results/tests, costs of travel with resultant delay in consulting specialists. Telemedicine can help reduce these problems. To facilitate successful and sustainable telemedicine implementation the eHealth readiness of different stakeholders should be undertaken. This study was conducted at public health facilities (HFs) in Uganda to assess eHealth readiness across four domains; core, e-learning, clinical and technology, that might hamper adoption and integration of telemedicine. Methods A cross-sectional study using mixed methods for data collection was conducted at health center IVs, regional and national referral hospitals. The study was conducted in three parts. Quantitative data on core, e-learning and clinical readiness domains were collected from doctors and other healthcare providers (nurses/midwives, public health officers and allied healthcare workers). Respondents were categorised into ‘aware and used telemedicine’, ‘aware and not used’, ‘unaware of telemedicine’. Focus Group Discussions were conducted with patients to further assess core readiness. Technology readiness was assessed using a questionnaire with purposively selected respondents; directors, heads of medical sections, and hospital managers/superintendents. Descriptive statistics and correlations were performed using Spearman’s rank order test for relationship between technology readiness variables at the HFs. Results 70% of health professionals surveyed across three levels of HF were aware of telemedicine and 41% had used telemedicine. However, over 40% of HWs at HC-IV and RRH were unaware of telemedicine. All doctors who had used telemedicine were impressed with it. Telemedicine users and non-users who were aware of telemedicine showed core, clinical, and learning readiness. Patients were aware of telemedicine but identified barriers to its use. A weak but positive correlation existed between the different variables in technology readiness. Conclusion Respondents who were aware of and used telemedicine across all HF levels indicated core, learning and clinical readiness for adoption and integration of telemedicine at the public HFs in Uganda, although patients noted potential barriers that might need attention. In terms of technology readiness, gaps still exit at the various HF levels. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4057-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing core, e-learning, clinical and technology readiness to integrate telemedicine at public health facilities in Uganda: a health facility – based survey

Kiberu

Scott

Mars

2019

BMC Health Serv Res

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“…However, there are several difficulties to be addressed before taking full advantage of these technologies (Chanda & Shaw, 2010). It is noteworthy that most of the studies about eHealth and its successful implementation have been undertaken in both advanced (Little et al, 2007;Eysenbach et al, 2007;Reichertz, 2006) and developing ones (Asangansi et al, 2008;Oak, 2007;Kimaro& Nhampossa, 2007;Omona & Ikoja-Odongo, 2006). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infrastructural Barriers to e-Health Implementation in Developing Countries:

Qureshi¹,

Shah²,

Najeebullah³

et al. 2013

EJSD

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Infrastructure is the backbone of every CBIS irrespective of the field or organization. Digital technologies are not only expensive but also demand professionalism for successful execution of e-Projects. However the availability of basic infrastructure is indispensable. The research reports that infrastructural issues are dominating the research on e-projects in all organizations including health sector. This becomes more critical in the background of developing states like Pakistan. This paper aims at pinpointing the widely reported barriers to e-health projects emanating from the infrastructural availability and its maintenance with focus on developing countries.

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“…Other challenges reported in the literature include lack of computer awareness amongst the majority of the rural communities, shortage of skilled and qualified people to manage the operation and functioning of ICT facilities and computer failures and damage of information because of viruses and frequent unstable power supply (Omona & Ikoja-Odongo 2006). Unsustainable ICT projects because of overdependency on donor support, mean that the projects do not continue as soon as donors stop providing support.…”

Section: Challenges That Affect Health Worker's Adoption and Use Of Information And Communication Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of information and communication technologies in the delivery of health services in rural communities: Experiences from Malawi

Nyasulu

Chawinga

2018

S. Afr. j. inf. manag.

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Background: In recent years, Africa has experienced a boom in information and communication technologies (ICTs). These ICTs have been hailed by the health sector as impetus for heath service delivery in rural areas. In this regard, stakeholders in the health sector have made attempts to reinforce frontline health workers with technological tools. Although there is much evidence that ICTs play a key role in the health sector, it remains unknown how the health sector in Malawi is exploiting ICTs in its delivery of day-to-day operations.Objectives: In this study, we investigate the role that ICTs play in rural health. This study will specifically determine the purposes that health surveillance assistants (HSAs) use ICTs for, assess the ICT skills and expertise of HSAs, analyse benefits of ICTs and study the problems faced by HSAs in the effective use of ICTs.Method: In this study, a quantitative research method approach was adopted to address the research objectives. Both research sites and respondents were selected using a convenient sampling method. We self-administered and collected the questionnaire from the respondents. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data.Results: We find that HSAs have made headways in the adoption of various forms of ICTs such as mobile phones alongside their applications (Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp). However, efforts to maximise the appropriation of ICTs by HSAs are punctuated by various hindrances including high cost of ICT gadgets, high cost of Internet bundles, inadequate training in ICTs and lack of support from senior management in the Ministry of Health.Conclusion: Use of ICTs in community health is slowly but surely possible. In a nutshell, the study has shown that, regardless of perceivable hindrances associated with use of ICTs, HSAs use some ICTs in their work and personal activities. It is evident that using mobile phones to improve performance is an important area and that there is little interest in evaluating such interventions.

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Application of information and communication technology (ICT) in health information access and dissemination in Uganda

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

Assessing core, e-learning, clinical and technology readiness to integrate telemedicine at public health facilities in Uganda: a health facility – based survey

Assessing core, e-learning, clinical and technology readiness to integrate telemedicine at public health facilities in Uganda: a health facility – based survey

Infrastructural Barriers to e-Health Implementation in Developing Countries:

The role of information and communication technologies in the delivery of health services in rural communities: Experiences from Malawi

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