This article seeks to highlight some distinctive issues involved in the use of
mobile information and communication technologies (MICTs) in the healthcare
context. A three-layered framework for analysing cases of MICT-in-use is
developed from the literature and employed to analyse evidence from a number of
healthcare MICT pilot studies. These indicate that MICTs create new
implementation challenges, and that developers and implementers appear to pay
little attention to the particular workflow modalities of mobility and their
relationship with the type of MICT. In terms of effects on clinical work
practices, MICTs seemed to make access to information easier but not necessarily
faster. Better integration of MICTs with other hospital systems and use of
wireless networks were seen as necessary to achieve greater uptake. Areas for
further research that might support the implementation of MICTs in healthcare
are identified.
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