Physician’s effective use of mobile health applications: using an affordance theory lens

Abstract

Mobile 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.