Implementing successful e-health implementations within developing countries

Abstract

The use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) within healthcare can make significant changes in the daily operations of hospitals particularly in the developing world. A technology assessment of five hospitals based within Nyanza Province in Kenya was conducted to find out how hospitals are embracing the use of ICT. Both primary and secondary data were collected to be used in the study. A qualitative study was used through the application of a multiple case study to investigate five randomly selected hospitals. Structured interviews, open ended questionnaires and observations were used as methods to collect data from the various hospitals. In order to collect relevant data the participants were divided into three categories. Managers (n=5), hospital staff members (n=31) and patients (n=24). Therefore a total of (n=60), participated in the study. The findings revealed that just like in the majority of the developing nations, there are very few computers and e-health solutions that are currently used in the hospitals as a result of various challenges in Kenya. Consequently, this paper analyses the challenges and provide a way forward for developing nations when implementing e-health solutions.