ETD Collection
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/104
Please note: Digitised content is made available at the best possible quality range, taking into consideration file size and the condition of the original item. These restrictions may sometimes affect the quality of the final published item. For queries regarding content of ETD collection please contact IR specialists by email : IR specialists or Tel : 011 717 4652 / 1954
Follow the link below for important information about Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD)
Library Guide about ETD
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item Physician’s effective use of mobile health applications: using an affordance theory lens(2018) Ngaka, NkhahlengMobile health (mhealth) applications (apps) have to be used effectively by physicians in order to achieve maximum benefits from them. Limited research papers have investigated what entails effective use or how effective use is achieved. In order to understand whether mhealth apps are effectively used by physicians, this research draws on the affordance theory that states that affordances are what the technology offers the users. From this theory it is investigated why physicians chose to actualize certain affordances. The study aims to divert the research from investigating the features of the systems and rather focus at understanding whether systems are used effectively therefore unearthing possibilities that were never possible without the use of technologies. To achieve the set objective this study was conducted by means of qualitative research that utilized semi-structured interviews as a data collections method. It is critical for physicians to understand whether they are benefiting from the use of health applications. It is also important for mhealth apps developers to understand what the basic needs and preferences of the physicians are when utilising health apps. This research contributed to theory by extending the definition of effective use. Added contributions were that of highlighting some important issues that developers may need to consider when developing mHealth applications for physicians and for physicians to understand whether they gain any benefits from using these apps.Item Towards an understanding of post-adoption usage behaviours in the context of m-health pregnancy support applications(2017) Chakabuda, Tendai CarolMobile health applications are fast becoming an influential source of information for pregnant women. Studies have shown that pregnant women download 3 such apps on average on their cellphones. These mobile technologies have been shown to help women monitor their progress during their pregnancy and personalise healthcare to suit their needs. To date, llimited research has been directed towards understanding usage behaviours with these apps. Various authors have argued that there is a need to expand the scope of research from simple usage behaviour to deeper levels as technology becomes more sophisticated and easily available. M-health technologies are increasingly becoming more varied and sophisticated and as such this study aims to explore post-adoption usage specifically of mobile health pregnancy applications in the South African context. This study specifically looked at post adoption usage behaviours and used Hsieh and Zmud’s (2006) framework as a basis of understanding these behaviours. The potential influences on these behaviours were sourced from various studies done on pregnant women usage of ICT in general. These influences were then investigated to see whether they were relevant in the context of m-health pregnancy support applications. The primary method of data collection was open ended semi structured interviews with twelve pregnant women. Data analysis was done using the iterative model for qualitative data analysis proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994). The findings revealed that pregnant women displayed post adoption usage behaviours of routine use and IS continuance. With regards to the infusion stage, the study found that pregnant women engaged in the first set of post adoption usage behaviours i.e. extended usage and deep usage. They did not engage in second stage behaviours namely emergent use, feature extension or intention to explore behaviours. The influences identified in the literature were found to be relevant in the context of m-health applications and additional influences such as cost of seeing gynaecologist, number of features on the app and social structures were found to have an influence on usage of the apps. This study provides unique insights into the views of pregnant women’s experiences with m-health apps. Specifically, by using interpretive research it uncovers the subjective meanings around post adoption usage behaviours, understanding how pregnant women engage in these behaviours and subsequently how these behaviours are sustained during their pregnancy. The study recognises m-health pregnancy support apps as important tools in the pregnancy journey. It highlights how pregnant women value these apps and view them as huge information sources, reassurance and comfort during their pregnancy. It is argued that medical professionals cannot distance themselves away from these apps and need to work in conjunction with them to provide robust maternity care to their patients. 5 Theoretically, this study adds to our understanding of post adoption usage behaviours specifically in the context of m-health pregnancy apps. Limited studies have been done in this field specifically in the South African context and the study provides a foundation for further research. Further research can be done to understand how these apps are changing the relationship between pregnant women and medical professionals and furthermore, whether the information received from these apps is reliable and credible.Item The current state of electronic medical record systems and their impacts on the performance of hospitals in South Africa(2016) Gule, Bheki SElectronic Medical Records (EMR) systems aim to provide an integrated solution to a number of hospital processes, including supporting administrative functions such as patient billing, providing clinical guidelines, and allowing clinicians to order and view lab reports. Yet with all these possible benefits, like many other types of information systems and technologies, their impact on hospital performance has been a key area of interest and a source of debate. This study examines the extent to which EMR systems are available across South African hospitals as well as how well they have been integrated into the processes of the said hospitals. The diffusion of EMR systems means they are available in the relevant clinical units whilst their infusion suggests they are comprehensively embedded into the processes that they are meant to support. The most important question answered in this study was whether the diffusion and infusion of these systems had any impact on the performance of hospitals. Answering this question would aid decision makers on whether more effort is indeed needed to ensure their availability across units and their embedding into hospital processes. The study collected data from a number of hospitals in the private and public sector with multiple informants providing data on diffusion and infusion of these systems as well as on hospital performance. Performance measures included the hospitals’ economic efficiency, their clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. Key findings were that while there are performance benefits in the diffusion of EMR systems across units, the impacts are not always positive for some hospitals. Large hospitals were less likely to benefit from the diffusion of these systems. However the comprehensive use of these systems provided benefits for all types of hospitals, suggesting that while availability may be important, it is the comprehensive embedding of the EMR system into the hospital’s processes that is more beneficial to all types of hospitals. These results present further opportunity for research into why the impact of EMR systems is not always positive for some hospitals.