The Influence of ICT on Workflow and Communication Among Clinical Workforce in Selected Hospitals in Anambra State
Chapter One
Study Purpose
The motivation behind this examination was to establish the effects of the utilization of ICTs on effective communication and workflow
Objectives
The study was guided by the following objectives:
To decide the impacts of the utilization of ICT the board frameworks on worker communication and workflow.
To analyze the impacts of utilization of correspondence frameworks on effective communication and workflow.
To set up the impacts of utilization of data frameworks on representative execution and
CHATER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The section demonstrates previous academic work in the fields of information technology and worker performance. The articles, books, and publications included in the review were all found online. The analysis is presented in relation to: information and communication technology and its components; impacts of innovation on wellbeing and security; impact of innovation on execution and productivity; impacts of executive frameworks on representative execution and efficiency; impacts of correspondence frameworks on worker execution and productivity; and impacts of data systems on performance and profitability.
ICT and its components
The industries and other fundamental domains are being penetrated by ICts. Over the past 20 years of the 21st century, people’s use of IT at work has gradually increased. Digital computing has reached a mature stage during the stated time, together with telecommunications use, linking multiple computers to form one network, and the internet. According to Peter Drucker (1954), management should be informed of how technology is used across different industries. On the other hand, the advent of innovations always has an impact on every industry. Adopting the information revolution has changed how businesses operate on a global scale. Additionally, the repercussions can be seen in the relationships between businesses, their suppliers, and their clients.
According to Mair et al. (2012), cited in Rouleau et al. (2015), e-wellbeing can be divided into four areas: the executive systems, correspondence structures, computerized decision genuinely steady systems, and information innovations. E-wellbeing is the use of developing data and correspondence technology, particularly the web, to improve or enable wellbeing and social insurance. The management structures integrate ICTs, such as patient/individual records and electronic prosperity records. Contrarily, correspondence systems are media transmission frameworks used when clients are a detachment isolated in space or perhaps time. This type of communication might take place synchronously or asynchronously between health professionals or between health professionals and patients. It includes a focus on data exchange amongst unambiguous individuals who accept unquestionable careers in diagnostics, the officials, directing, preparing, or reinforcing benefits, and it combines email and propelled cells (telemedicine and telecare systems).
The robotized PC-based structures that target supporting clinical practice inside clinical principles and care delivery pursuant to verification and best practices are known as “motorized decision really strong systems.” These kinds of structures contain choice support that originates from mechanized thinking (for instance, an item program) rather than a human and are typically worked continually. Then there are other ICT components, termed information structures, which are described as employing online frameworks to learn about economic data in this specific situation. The portals of e-prosperity and online tools for recovering information systems (Mair et al., 2012).
Effects of Technological Advancement on Job Performance and Productivity.
Job Performance refers to completing a certain activity or piece of labor as measured by currently accepted standards for efficiency, cost, and speed. As long as you include moral considerations together with individual and group spontaneity when using innovation, the association will surely benefit. On the one hand, technological advancement reduces the laborer’s immediate duty, and on the other, fewer workers are needed to do a particular task, which also results in fewer jobs that result in financial loss. Associations go through an inventive process to follow the accessible patterns. Current innovative trends in HR are focused on the value that HR adds to the organization. When the need for an unmatched execution is strong, the mechanical structure pieces become even more dominating, solidified, and flexible.
Gainfulness is a more important indicator of long-term financial prospective outcomes and one of the most avidly observed pointers.
The ideal strategy for enabling perpetual lifestyle development is rising gainfulness. The fundamental source of perpetual productivity growth is changes in development, however both certified and “assessed” effectiveness might be impacted by other temporary factors. Workers may, for instance, work more diligently during periods of advancement, and businesses may use their capital resources much more effectively by running age lines on additional advancements. The two factors can provide an increase in productivity as businesses create returns to scale up; consequently, some scientists argue that there is no lasting effect as such it should be limited when long-term particular change is considered.
At Population Services Nigeria, Kimani (2015) oversaw an investigation of the impact of data innovation on hierarchical execution. Determining the extent of data innovation use and how it relates to authoritative exposition was the goal of the study. The whole staff of Population Service Nigeria, numbering 438, was included in the population study setup. A semi-organized poll that was conducted electronically and 311 (71%) of the population completed usable surveys was used to acquire crucial information. Results showed that IT use at Population Services Nigeria cleared 82.4% of the hierarchical exhibition, exhibiting a favorable relationship between its degree utilization and authoritative execution.
At the Mobarekeh Steel Complex in Isfahan, Iran, Allameh and Barden et al.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Section spread show examination was directed and considers the examination . structure, territory of the examination, target masses, test size and assessing procedure, the investigation instruments and managing of the examination. It in like manner discusses data arrangement strategy, data assessment and the ethical considerations got
Research Design
Gall and Borg (2007), introduced this as an exploration configuration alluding to the way toward making an observational test to help or discredit a case. The scientist utilized a descriptive Study design which includes portraying, recording, investigating and deciphering conditions that exist. This examination utilized a Case Study inquire about plan for the explanation: that it is valuable in portraying the attributes of a particular populace. All things considered, the scholar had the option to increase a more profound comprehension of the impact of ICT on worker execution, efficiency at University teaching hospital, Amara.
Region
The research was conducted at the Anambra Referral Hospital. This is because the hospital serves a lot of people within the State, meaning that although it is in an urban setting, it serves an urban population as well as a significant Level 5 hospital.
Targeted Population
Target was the Clinical workers working at the Anambra Level 5 Hospital. This is because the clinicians are manages patients ,every now and then involving wide variety of patients in the hospital, making their performance and productivity to beat the centre stage of the hospital operations. The total target population was all the 82Clinical workers at the facility.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION
Introduction
Section covers the information examination and introduction of discoveries on the impacts of the utilization of data correspondence innovation on representative occupation execution and efficiency among clinical officials at the University teaching hospital, Amara. It is composed as pursues; reaction rate, foundation data, ICT Management Systems use and representative execution and efficiency, Communication Systems use and worker communication and workflow, and Information Systems use and worker execution and efficiency.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS, DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This section exhibits the synopsis of the discoveries, talks, ends and suggestions of this investigation on the impacts of the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies on effective communication and workflow at the University teaching hospital, Amara. Likewise displayed in the part are recommendations for further investigations.
Summary of the Findings
The findings on the various objectives presented in the analysis chapter are summarized in this section:
ICT Management System Use
Whereas 80% of the respondents were aware of the management systems used in the hospital, 20% were not. The key systems that was pointed out by the respondents were the health record system and the information management system. Whereas 70% strongly agreed that the use of electronic health records has helped Clinical workers to reduce the incidence of medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records, 30% remained neutral. 70% strongly agreed, 20% agreed and the remaining 10% were neutral on the statement that EHR makes the health information available and this in turn facilitates the effectiveness of Clinical workers at work.
In terms of medical error, 70% strongly agreed that the use of an ICT Management System reduced medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records. With regards to test duplications, 80% strongly agreed and agreed that the use of electronic health records helped to reduce the duplication of tests.
On treatment delays, 30% strongly disagreed, 20% disagreed, 20% were neutral, 10% agreed and 20% strongly agreed with the statement that the use of EHR helps in reducing delays in treatment and in making better decisions. All the respondents (100%) strongly agreed and agreed that utilization of the patients’ personal records is important in the decision making process. Moreover, 90% strongly agreed that patients’ personal records made it easier for treatment purposes hence increasing efficiency in the treatment process. It was further reported that the use of a management system helped in improving the management of patients’ records in the hospital and in following up on cases.
An overwhelming majority (80%) indicated that the use of management systems affected employee performance and productivity to some extent. In the model summary of management systems, the coefficient of determination indicates that 11% of the variation on employee performance and productivity is influenced by management systems; hence, a significant positive relationship exists between management systems and employee performance and productivity (p=.005).
Communication Systems Use
Whereas 70% indicated that the system was effective, 30% indicated that it was very effective. Whereas 70% strongly agreed that the communication systems facilitate easy access to information crucial for Clinical worker’s performance, 30% were neutral. In terms of email usage, 40% strongly agreed and agreed that Clinical workers often use the email for sharing information with other officers in the hospital. On the other hand, 40% strongly disagreed with the statement.
All the respondents (100%) were positive by strongly agreeing and agreeing with the statement that use of mobile phone by some of the patients had made it easier for quick response in case of emergencies. Whereas 60% strongly agreed and agreed that tele-care facilitated regular communications with the patients and this made the monitoring process easier, 20% of the Clinical workers disagreed.
Some of the other ways suggested included easy access to information concerning a patient from other departments, fast-tracking progress of patients living far away from the hospital, good timing of results, improved patients treatment, properly organized rota duties, proper time management, quick emergency response and quick consultations, and reduced misunderstanding.
Majority (70%) indicated that the use of communication systems in the hospital affected performance and productivity of employees to a greater extent. The model summary of the communication system indicates that 57.8% of the variation on employee performance and productivity is influenced by communication systems. One can then draw the conclusion that communication systems have a significant impact on employee performance and productivity at the University teaching hospital, Amara (p=.000).
Information System Use
Half (50%) of the Clinical workers indicated that the information systems at the University teaching hospital, Amara were very effective. This was supported by 30% who indicated that it was effective. Whereas 40% strongly disagreed that utilization of web-based resources had made it easier to access information that was relevant to the Clinical worker’s profession, 30% strongly agreed with the statement.
Whereas 50% remained neutral on the statement whether access to web-based resources makes learning of new concepts in the profession easier hence increasing productivity and performance, 50% remained positive by strongly agreeing and agreeing respectively. With regards to whether Clinical workers are able to retrieve information from the web without much challenge, 30% were neutral, 40% agreed and 30% strongly agreed with the statement respectively.
Half (50%) strongly disagreed and disagreed that the referral hospital had an e-health portal where information that can be used for treatment purposes is stored. An overwhelming majority (80%) strongly agreed and agreed that the integration of information systems within the referral hospital had made on-job learning easier and faster hence increasing productivity. On the other ways in which information system influences performance and productivity, the respondents explained that it helps in explaining the challenging areas and enhances knowledge update and learning, proper time management, quality service, proper knowledge sharing, easier consultations and quick consults. However, a few pointed out that there were some challenges experienced with the information systems.
The model summary for the information system indicates that 56.0% of the variation on employee performance and productivity is influenced by information systems. Hence, it can be safely concluded that Information Systems have a positive impact on employee performance and productivity at the University Teaching Hospital Amara (p=.000).
Employee Performance and Productivity
All the respondents (100%) indicated that they were satisfied with the performance of the ICT systems in place at the University teaching hospital, Amara. In terms of increased performance and productivity, 80% strongly agreed and agreed that the introduction of ICT in the hospital had increased the performance and productivity of Clinical workers. All the respondents (100%) were positive by strongly agreeing and agreeing to the statement that the access to information through ICT had helped improve training of Clinical workers. When asked to indicate whether utilization of ICT has increased collaboration among the staff, 40% agreed, 30% strongly agreed and the remaining 30% were neutral.
On the issue of service flexibility, 40% agreed, 20% strongly agreed, 20% disagreed and 20% remained neutral that ICT has increased the flexibility of service provision at the hospital. Whereas 50% strongly agreed and agreed that through the monitoring systems the quality of patient care and safety had improved, 30% strongly disagreed and disagreed respectively. With regards to the treatment and monitoring delays, 40% disagreed and 20% strongly disagreed that ICT has also reduced treatment and monitoring delays at the hospital. On the other hand, 30% of the respondents strongly agreed with the statement.
The coefficient of determination indicates that 66.3% of the variation on employee performance and productivity is influenced by Management, Communication and Information systems. Therefore it is concluded that Information, Management and Communication Systems have a positive significant influence on employee performance and productivity at the University teaching hospital, Amara (p=.000).
Discussions
From the analysis, this study was able to establish that ICT usage had an effect on the productivity and performance of employees at the referral hospital. This concurs with a number of studies. For instance, one carried out by Kimani (2015)at Population Services Nigeria established that the utilization of ICT explains82.4% of the organizational performance. The same case also applies in the context of this study, whereby the model summary showed that 66.3% of the variation on employee performance and productivity was influenced by Management, Communication and Information Systems.
The findings have also shown that through technology, Clinical workers are able to acquaint with information that is vital to the development of their profession in this technology-oriented society. This concurs with an earlier observation by Slenning (2000) that acknowledged that the introduction of information technology updates many aspects of activities in the educational community; the basic being the communication between them and the teaching practice. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education is not only considered a teaching and learning tool, but also an important means of administrative organization.
It was also noted that the utilization of information and management systems facilitated easy retrieval of information that was vital in decision-making as well as treatment of patients. In supporting this finding, Schelin (2003) as cited in Massorou et al(2015) argued that ICT contributes effectively to the administration, coding, storage and processing of the huge amount of digital information created. Moreover, it was established in the study that management and communications systems helped in reducing a lot of delays in the treatment process, as well as facilitating easy referral and updates of patients on the go.
In their study on the effects of information communication technology on human resources productivity at the Mobarekeh Steel Complex in Isfahan, Iran, Allameh and Barden et al (2011) found that dimensions of the information system (internet, office automation and internet) affect human resource productivity. This is further supported by the hypothesis in this study whereby it was established that there is a significant relationship between information systems and employee performance and productivity.
The findings by Nyakoe (2014) revealed that ICT had facilitated production of ad hoc reports, improved quality of work, enabled availability of reliable information on power generation and facilitated knowledge sharing and building on each other’s ideas in real time. ICT enabled KenGen to empower its employees and facilitated employee learning. All these aspects are found within the management and information systems. This study was able to reveal that 66.3% of the variation on employee performance and productivity is influenced by Management, Communication and Information Systems.
Moreover, the study concludes that Information, Management and Communication systems have a positive significant influence on employee performance and productivity at the University teaching hospital, Amara (p=.000). This is in line with a previous study done by Rezaei, Majid, Akbarzadeh and Farid (2014) on the effects of information technology on employee productivity at Shahr Bank (case study of Shiraz, Iran). The study showed that there is a positive relationship between IT and human resources productivity. In addition, the study conducted by Ratner and Kaur (2016) on the Impact of Information Technology on Job Related factors like e-Health and safety, job satisfaction, performance, productivity and work-life balance shows that following the introduction of new technology, job performance is the most affected factor, then job satisfaction, safety and health, productivity and work-life balance.
Conclusions
From the analysis and summary of the findings, there are a number of conclusions which are made. It is concluded that the use of ICT management systems has helped a lot in improving the performance and productivity of the Clinical workers in the study. Some of the ways in which it has been of significance include reducing the incidence of medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records, as well as reducing test duplications. However, there are still some issues in addressing treatment delays and decision-making based on the information obtained from the systems, and this is affecting the full effectiveness of ICT management systems at the hospital.
The communication systems being used at the hospital such as the internet, emails and mobile phones are having a significant influence on the performance and productivity of the Clinical workers despite some few technicalities. Issues such as lack of internet affect the effectiveness of the email in accessing information online. However, in general, communication systems have improved the response rate to emergency cases as well as follow-up of patients. It can further be concluded that communication systems have facilitated easier access to information concerning a patient from other department, fast- tracking progress of patients living far away from the hospital, good timing of results, improved patients’ treatment, properly organized rota duties, proper time management, quick emergency response, quick consultations and reduced misunderstanding.
The effects of information systems are also experienced at the referral hospital. These include explanation of challenges through access to information, enhanced knowledge update and learning, proper time management, quality service, proper knowledge sharing, easier consultations and quick consults. However, there is still a challenge affecting the effectiveness of the information system, which is delays especially due to lack of proper maintenance of the system and internet connection. Moreover, the maintenance challenge also contributes to long queues hence slowing down the work progress at the hospital.
Recommendations
As it has been presented in the conclusions and summary of the findings, information communication technology proves to have a great impact on the overall performance and productivity of employees at the University teaching hospital, Amara. However, to enhance its full effectiveness a number of recommendations need to be taken into consideration. First, there is need for proper training to the Clinical workers on how to effectively utilize ICT in their day-to-day activities. Programmes should be put in place for on-job technical training on ICT usage in handling patient records for the Clinical workers.
The hospital needs to invest on stable internet connection. This is because most of the ICT systems, to function appropriately, require an internet connection that is constant and not fluctuating. The hospital should take measures to address any interruptions to the internet connection as it may affect the proper functioning of the systems.
Maintenance of the system should be done periodically to avoid unexpected interruptions. This is because maintenance sometimes affects normal operations when it is being undertaken. Hence, certain periods should be set for maintenance and communicated on time to the staff and patients so as to avoid long queues and delayed services.
The ICT systems should be developed to be more friendly and useable to the employees as well as patients. This will make it easier and faster for service provision.
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