Relevance of Mobile Computing in the Field of Medicine

Mobile information and communication technologies (MICTs) are widely promoted as increasing the efficiency of work practices in many business sectors, including healthcare. There are numerous types of mobile computing devices available that provide users with capabilities that can be applied in a wide range of different work settings. Case studies of the use of different MICT devices by doctors in different hospital settings indicate that while some doctors easily adopt MICT devices and find them a helpful tool, others encounter problems with their usage and, in fact, a majority do not use MICTs at all. This chapter deals with identification of five factors influencing the uptake of MICTs in clinical work practices and proposes a framework for analysing their interactions with the aim of increasing its uptake in medicine. bAckground Mobile information and communication technologies (MICTs) are widely promoted as increasing the efficiency of work practices in many business sectors, including healthcare. There are numerous types of mobile computing devices available that provide users with capabilities that can be applied in a wide range of different work settings. Case studies of the use of different MICT devices by doctors in different hospital settings indicate that while some doctors easily adopt MICT devices and find them a helpful tool, others encounter problems with their usage and, in fact, a majority do not use MICTs at all. This chapter deals with identification of five factors influencing the uptake of MICTs in clinical work practices and proposes a framework for analysing their interactions with the aim of increasing its uptake in medicine.