Study to investigate the determinants for the use of wireless technology in healthcare setting: a case of Pakistan

Abstract

Among various technological developments, the use of wireless technologies is emerging rapidly in the developing and industrialized economies. Healthcare environment is no exception to this phenomenon, whereas the healthcare environments have unique characteristics and uptake of wireless handheld technologies in a healthcare environment is complex and exceptional. For example in healthcare environment, individuals are trying to save lives instead of making profit. Researchers in information systems domain agreed that use of wireless handheld technology in healthcare environment could improve quality of care, cost reduction, error reductions, and better quality of information. Awareness and use of information communication technologies (ICT) are on the rise in Pakistan and uptake of the wireless technology in healthcare environment is relatively slow. This paper presents the initial findings of the data collected from Pakistani healthcare professionals regarding their opinions and views about the use of wireless handheld technology in healthcare environment. A total of 300 surveys were distributed and 97 useable surveys were returned. Factor analysis clearly shows that Pakistani healthcare professionals are concerned about the usefulness and outcomes offered by the technology itself.