We know mobile technology can help us work smarter, increase accuracy and reduce costs. Yet there are still many obstacles to overcome – building a shared knowledge base is chief among them. To help us hone in on the ways we can work to overcome those obstacles, we recently completed a national survey of healthcare providers, IT professionals and administrators. Here’s what we learned.
Research results in brief
Today’s healthcare professionals perceive mobile point-of-care technologies, such as healthcare-grade wireless networks and tablet computers, as essential tools. In our online survey of nearly 170 healthcare professionals, a combined 72 percent of respondents ranked the use of mobile point-of-care technologies as “essential” and “important.”
When asked about opportunities provided by technology tools at work, 80 percent responded that efficiency and reduced paperwork is potentially the biggest gain. That was followed by enhanced accuracy of records (63 percent) and faster information processing (61 percent).
These time-saving benefits ranked much higher than a strict dollars-and-cents calculation of the value of mobile point-of-care technologies. Comparatively, only 38 percent ranked financial savings and ROI as a major benefit.
When it comes to obstacles for adopting mobile point-of-care technologies, there is a fair amount of finger-pointing going on between clinicians, IT professionals and administrators.
Sixty-three percent responded that adoption by clinicians and staff is the biggest challenge to successful deployment of technologies such as healthcare-grade wireless networks and mobile devices that connect people with information in the workplace. This was followed by perceived security concerns (59 percent) and training needs (53 percent).
When the shoe is on the other foot, clinicians faulted administrators, and administrators blamed IT managers. We need to find a way to address the need for staff training and collaboration. Building our new online community and a shared knowledge base is part of that effort. Our Change Management webinar is a direct result of this feedback, and it's our next opportunity to learn together.
What do you think?
We're intersted to hear how these results resonate with community members. Please leave a comment here based on your experience.
