Acceptance of Smartphone in Enhancing Patient-Caregivers Relationship

• Main Authors: Wan Khairuzzaman Wan Ismail, Paul Hong Kit Chan, Nora Buhari, Azlina Muzaini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Alberto Hurtado 2012-09-01
• Series: Journal of Technology Management & Innovation
• Subjects: healthcare provider; patient-caregiver relation; smartphones; mobile communication technology
• Online Access: http://www.jotmi.org/index.php/GT/article/view/980

Patients may take more initiative to give more attention to their health as well as foster closer relationship with the caregivers and this has been made possible through smartphone. This paper investigates the perceived usefulness of smartphone among healthcare personnel in a private hospital setting. The study has identified elements which have had impact on individual decision to use smartphones using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Questionnaires were distributed to 57 respondents including medical doctors, nurses and head of department of a hospital. The analysis shows that the younger generations were more ‘trendy’ in owning a Smartphone. The study indicates that females reported better acceptance of smartphone use in their works. Healthcare industry will be more patient-centric instead of doctor-centric, hence, it is important for healthcare providers to provide services in line with the customers’ requirement without jeopardizing patient safety and lives.