WIRELESS HANDHELD TECHNOLOGY DRIVERS: VIEWS FROM QUEENSLAND NURSES

Abstract

Presentation Summary The use of wireless devices is becoming popular in healthcare due to its flexibility and mobility. In nursing the use of handheld devices looks beneficial for data collection and other information management functions by nurses. Many conceptual studies in nursing literature have clearly indicated that handheld devices will deliver advantages and benefits at point of care. This study conducted a set of 30 interviews with Queensland Nursing Staff in one of the district health centres over a period of three months to establish the drivers of wireless technology adoption among nurses. The outcome of these interviews is developed into a preliminary model. The data indicate that the drivers can be loosely grouped into four categories as shown in the above diagram. 1.Documentation 2. Advantages 3. Information management 4. Benefits. The study is an attempt to understand user feelings on the issues impacting the drivers and inhibitors of wireless technology in healthcare. User opinions extracted through interviews, while conforming the literature, appears to reflect what has been echoed for the past three years without much change. This implies that wireless technology is still debated without providing any proper solutions for healthcare industries. The next stage of this research will invite opinions from a wide range of users of healthcare on a questionnaire to quantify the opinion. It is hoped that this quantification will provide more insights into the adoption issues of wireless technology for healthcare enabling an IS model that can readily be used by healthcare organisations contemplating wireless implementation. Key words: wireless technology, health care, IS