Use of Smartphone Applications for Clinical Decision Making in a Poor Country: an Exploratory Study of Smartphone Use Among Medical Practitioners in Ghana

Kafui Y. Senya, Abdallah Ibrahim, Ian Lindong, Adolphina Addo-Lartey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Health systems in poor countries such as Ghana are fraught with many challenges. Access to adequate and reliable healthcare personnel and services is limited, and quality of service delivered at various health facilities continues to be problematic. Some evidence exists on the utility of smartphone technology to help eliminate challenges that hinder improved service delivery in the health sector. This study explored the prevalence of the use of smartphone applications (apps) for clinical decision making among junior medical practitioners in selected health facilities in Ghana. Methods: Sixty-five junior medical doctors were randomly selected and surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Chi-squared test and logistics regression analysis were done to estimate associations between frequency of use of apps and ownership of smartphones, smartphone apps installed, and factors influencing use of apps to make clinical decisions. Results: There was a universal ownership of smartphones among the junior medical doctors. All the junior medical doctors reported using various smartphone apps for clinical decision making but to varying extents. Web access and drug reference apps were the most popular apps used. Nearly 90% of respondents had third-party medical-related apps installed on their smartphones. Majority of the doctors (64.2%) preferred using smartphone apps for clinical decision making rather than a hard copy protocol if both were available (χ2(1) = 5.55, p = 0.02). In logistic regressions, use of smartphone apps for clinical decision making was three to six times higher in doctors at the University of Ghana Hospital, single doctors, and those in the child health department, although the associations were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The high prevalence and use of smartphone applications for clinical decision making among junior medical practitioners indicate the need for health institutions to consider adopting smartphone technology for improved health service delivery in the country.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalGlobal Social Welfare
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

Keywords

  • Clinical decision making
  • Ghana
  • M-Health technology
  • Smartphone apps

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Use of Smartphone Applications for Clinical Decision Making in a Poor Country: an Exploratory Study of Smartphone Use Among Medical Practitioners in Ghana'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this