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Adoption and use of electronic healthcare information systems to support clinical care in public hospitals of the Western Cape, South Africa
Author(s)
Ogundaini, Oluwamayowa Oaikhena
Date Issued
2016
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
In the Western Cape, South Africa, despite the prospective benefits that e-Health information systems (e-Health IS) offer to support the healthcare sector; there are limitations in terms of
usability, functionality and peculiar socio-technical factors. Thus, healthcare professionals do
not make the most use of the implemented e-Health IS. Unfortunately, explanations remain
tentative and unclear, yet non-usage of the e-Health IS defeats the objectives of its adoption,
in the sense that the plan to improve and deliver quality healthcare service in the public
sector may not be achieved as envisaged. The aim of the study was to acquire explanations
to the causes of the limitations regarding the adoption and, particularly, the use (or non-use)
of e-Health IS by clinical staff in the public healthcare institutions in South Africa.
The choice of research approach was informed by the research problem, objectives, and the
main research question. By the reasons of the subjective and socio-technical nature of the
phenomenon, a deductive approach was adopted for this investigation. The nominalist
ontology and interpretivist epistemology positions were taken by the researcher as a lens to
conduct this research; which informed a qualitative methodology for this investigation. The
purposive sampling technique was used to identify the appropriate participants from different
hospital levels consisting of Hospital Administrative staff, and Clinical staff (Clinicians and
Nurses) of relative experiences in their clinical units. Subsequently, the Unified Theory of
Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and content analysis technique were used to
contextualize, simplify, and analysis the text data transcripts. The findings indicate that healthcare professionals have a high level of awareness and
acceptance to use implemented e-Health IS. There are positive perceptions on the expected
outcomes, that e-Health IS would improve processes and enhance healthcare services
delivery in the public healthcare sector. Also, findings indicate that social influence plays a
vital role especially on the willingness of individuals (or groups); as the clinical staff are
influenced by their colleagues despite the facilitating conditions provided by the hospital
management. Further, findings indicate that it is somewhat problematic to maintain balance
in running a parallel paper-electronic system in the hospital environment.
Hence, the core factors that influence successful adoption and use of e-Health IS include;
willingness of an individual (or group) to accept and use a technology, the performance
expectancy, social influence among professionals in the healthcare scenery and adequate
facilitating conditions. In summary, it is recommended that there should be an extensive
engagement inclusive of all respective stakeholders involved in the adoption processes. This
would ensure that e-Health IS are designed to meet both practical organizational and clinical
needs (and expectations) with respect to the hospital contexts.
usability, functionality and peculiar socio-technical factors. Thus, healthcare professionals do
not make the most use of the implemented e-Health IS. Unfortunately, explanations remain
tentative and unclear, yet non-usage of the e-Health IS defeats the objectives of its adoption,
in the sense that the plan to improve and deliver quality healthcare service in the public
sector may not be achieved as envisaged. The aim of the study was to acquire explanations
to the causes of the limitations regarding the adoption and, particularly, the use (or non-use)
of e-Health IS by clinical staff in the public healthcare institutions in South Africa.
The choice of research approach was informed by the research problem, objectives, and the
main research question. By the reasons of the subjective and socio-technical nature of the
phenomenon, a deductive approach was adopted for this investigation. The nominalist
ontology and interpretivist epistemology positions were taken by the researcher as a lens to
conduct this research; which informed a qualitative methodology for this investigation. The
purposive sampling technique was used to identify the appropriate participants from different
hospital levels consisting of Hospital Administrative staff, and Clinical staff (Clinicians and
Nurses) of relative experiences in their clinical units. Subsequently, the Unified Theory of
Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and content analysis technique were used to
contextualize, simplify, and analysis the text data transcripts. The findings indicate that healthcare professionals have a high level of awareness and
acceptance to use implemented e-Health IS. There are positive perceptions on the expected
outcomes, that e-Health IS would improve processes and enhance healthcare services
delivery in the public healthcare sector. Also, findings indicate that social influence plays a
vital role especially on the willingness of individuals (or groups); as the clinical staff are
influenced by their colleagues despite the facilitating conditions provided by the hospital
management. Further, findings indicate that it is somewhat problematic to maintain balance
in running a parallel paper-electronic system in the hospital environment.
Hence, the core factors that influence successful adoption and use of e-Health IS include;
willingness of an individual (or group) to accept and use a technology, the performance
expectancy, social influence among professionals in the healthcare scenery and adequate
facilitating conditions. In summary, it is recommended that there should be an extensive
engagement inclusive of all respective stakeholders involved in the adoption processes. This
would ensure that e-Health IS are designed to meet both practical organizational and clinical
needs (and expectations) with respect to the hospital contexts.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.
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