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Cited by 45Electronic Health Records SystemsTechnology and Human Factors in Education and HealthMobile Health and mHealth Applications

Tablet computers in support of rural and frontier clinical practice

Anderson, Chad, Henner, Terry, Burkey, Jake·2013·International Journal of Medical Informatics
DOI 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2013.08.006
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Abstract

Purpose Healthcare organizations are increasingly faced with an environment in which they must implement health information systems to achieve higher standards for efficiency and quality of care while at the same time being asked to provide needed services with fewer resources. This is particularly challenging for rural health systems where access to resources is often more limited. This study investigates the potential value of iPad tablets for enhancing health services delivery by primary care physicians in rural Nevada.Methods Five physicians from rural Nevada were selected to receive iPads and funding for apps that would enhance their medical practices. Following a year of use, data was gathered on each physician's actual use and perceived value of the iPads. A case study approach was taken using both an online survey and semi-structured phone interviews to collect case data.Results Use and perceived usefulness of the iPad was mixed but generally positive with some physicians utilizing it much more than others. The iPads were primarily used by the physicians to access medical information through online resources (e.g. Epocrates and UpToDate) for reference and diagnostic purposes, although they were also used for some interaction with patients. All felt that resources available through the iPad were limited and that better applications would improve the usefulness of the iPad, particularly in regard to graphical and video content suitable to sharing with patients.Conclusions Physicians in this study felt that the iPad could fill a need between smartphones and desktops, which were their primary technology tools prior to receiving the iPad, but that useful medical applications and resources are currently limited for the iPad. In particular, better graphical and video content would improve the usefulness of the iPad as a tool for patient interactions. Apps that store content locally would serve to mitigate inconsistent internet access that is still common in rural settings, increasing the usefulness of the iPad in that context. Tablets like the iPad also have potential for use in accessing the electronic medical record systems that are increasingly being implemented in rural hospitals and healthcare facilities.

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Authors
Anderson, C., Henner, T., & Burkey, J.
Affiliations
University of Nevada, Reno (US)
Corresponding author
Anderson, Chad
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Medical Informatics
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-11
Volume
82
Issue
11
Pages
1046-1058
ISSN
1386-5056 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2013.08.006
OpenAlex
W2059517209
Cited by
45
References
68
Citations by year
2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5
FWCI
13.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • International Journal of Medical Informatics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Electronic Health Records Systems
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Technology and Human Factors in Education and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords
rural health care, primary care physicians, mobile health apps, health information systems, patient-provider communication, internet access in rural areas, electronic health records
MeSH terms
Information Systems, Microcomputers, Nevada, Practice Patterns, Physicians', User-Computer Interface, Rural Health Services

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