Abstract:
This study was conceived with the aim of investigating the availability and
utilization of information and communication technology for accessing health
information by medical professionals in Kenya. The study started from the
premise that access to relevant information and knowledge is critical to the
delivery of effective healthcare services. Although most of the health
information is continuously being delivered electronically, many healthcare
professionals in developing countries including Kenya are disadvantaged
because of limited access to and use of ICT. The research was exploratory in
nature and used Kenyatta National Hospital as a case study.
The specific objectives of the study were to: identify the information needs of
the medical professionals; determine the sources and channels of information
used by the medical professionals; identify the factors for which they require
ICT support in accessing health information; establish the extent of the current
usage and level of adoption of ICTs among the medical professionals;
determine the potential challenges and prospects of utilization of ICTs in
health information access; and suggest and recommend measures to be
taken into account in the improvement, adoption and use of ICTs in health
information access by the medical professionals.
Interpretivism which was identified as a suitable philosophical framework for
the execution of the study offered a methodological rationale for a pragmatic
qualitative investigation. Data were collected on individual occurrences of the
phenomenon using semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory approach
was used as an analytical tool. The analysis revealed three main themes
which occurred frequently across the interviews namely: information needs
and information seeking behaviour, access to information, and access to
electronic resources.
The key findings of the study were that: medical professionals needed
information continuously in the course of their clinical work. Clinical
governance, care of patients and professional updating on the current medical
practices were the main reasons for needing and seeking information. When
the medical professionals needed clinical information, they turned to
colleagues. Text books and journals were also frequently used sources of
information. However, there was a substantial preference for e-searching for
information from the internet and e-journals. The findings revealed lack of
library and information services, inadequate access and use of electronic
information resources and inadequate ICT skills among the medical
professionals.
Conclusions arising from the study findings were that many critical information
needs of the medical professionals were not being met adequately, and
improved usage of ICT was viewed as the only realistic strategy for enhancing
information access and information sharing among the medical professionals
at the hospital. Using the insights gained from the study and the Actor
Network Theory (ANT) a framework for establishing an e-health library was
proposed and presented.
Recommendations directed towards enhancing access to health information
at KNH include: establishment of a hospital library and information services;
appointment of information professionals with skills and capabilities to conduct
online information searches to assist in clinical decision-making and ability to
train clinicians in ICT skills; formulation of ICT strategies and policy; capital
investments in the form of internet and supporting ICT infrastructure;
involvement of all stakeholders; and allocation of adequate financial resources
for improved access to health information by the medical professionals.