EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION ON HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY IN LAGOS STATE

Abstract

This study was on effect of technology utilization on health service delivery. Using University of Lagos teaching hospital as a case study. Four objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the knowledge and attitude of staff towards the use of ICT on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital,  to ascertain the efficient and effective is the use of ICT on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching Hospital, to ascertain the factors opposed against the application of ICT on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital and to find out the perception of health workers on the use of technology on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up of doctors, nurses, administrative staffs and lab technicians were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies. The study recommended that Ministry of Health formulates policies that provide the structures for implementation of ICT in health care institutions in Nigeria

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

The adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) among general practitioners is to provide access to the health services for the citizens. ICT resources have improved level of patients’ safety and outcome. Furthermore, the use of sophisticated equipment has improved the aspect of progressively updating the patients about their medical status. The recent increasing burden of health care cost has been regarded as the primary contemporary issue affecting the health care industry in several nations of the world (Rodrigues, J. (2014)

Through the application of ICT resources in the healthcare sectors, hospitals have been able to reduce their operational and other associated costs. In the developed countries the phenomenon of ageing population is evident with predictions of 60% hikes in the overall costs targeted at such group of people. The application of ICT in health care helps address the deficit of physicians in both developing and advanced countries. A good example is Telemedicine and other e-health applications. ICT has potential if properly deployed to lower costs of health care, while opening up new modalities for patient treatment and welfare (Guah, M.W. (2011)

Undoubtedly, ICT resources adoption has contributed significantly to better quality of care. The increased use of ICT resources in hospitals has helped improved the knowledge level of the patients. This is because through the use of the computers or monitors, digital ICT tools, the patients have a chance of grasping the visual perspective of the health status. Moreover, the ICT integrated system is critical to patients’ diagnosis and the reduction of medical errors has gone a long way in holistically improving the level and quality of healthcare outcomes and patients’ safety. Other aspects of quality in the health sectors are affordability, newer medical and effective medication. According to, improved health systems are fundamental in ensuring improved citizen’s welfare and of nations as well (Arendt, L. (2013)

This is attested by a study conducted in Bangladesh by, where a 25 year old female doctor said, using an ICT tool makes her more efficient and “make her work easier”. These improved efficiencies have the likelihood to result in improved employee morale and maintenance. Similarly, evidence suggests that e-health tools and for that matter ICT have positive effect on users. Thus users of ICT are more inclined to become well-informed, better supported, and have improved behavioural outcomes, as compared to non-users of ICT, in the same health facility. Imaging technologies feeds a number of emerging trends with potential application in ICT’s medical instruments and healthcare clearly and has improved and contributed to more affordable wide range of medical imaging, remote diagnostic and even treatment. Health care professionals acknowledge several challenges to their poor ICTs utilization in daily activities in working. The literature analysis on ICT adoption resources in health service standards revealed that the slow pace of the adoption of standards (both by developed and developing nations) is due to several factors (Agarwal, R. and Prasad, J. (2013)

Statement of the problem

According to Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), 1.5 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity. Without electricity, it is impossible to successfully adopt ICT resource strategy. According to, many towns in Nigeria have remote areas without access to electricity. In addition, electricity can enhance social connectivity through the shared experiences of television, use of cellular phones. Moreover, where ICT infrastructures are in place, they are neither standardized nor based on common platforms, making it difficult for them to interoperate. There is no proper interoperability that supports health information systems due to lack of cost-effective use of ICT applications. ICT infrastructure pertinently affects adoption of ICT. According to a study conducted by, ICT infrastructure has dominated most research in health care facilities especially in the health sectors of most countries. According to a study conducted by Acheampong, hospitals in Ghana lack appropriate technologies, computer systems/utilities that are relevant to improving healthcare services. The problems that refute the implementation of ICT in the facility included but not limited to issues of stable electricity supply, which is one of the fundamental problems that pose a threat to the full functionality of the system. It is impossible to successfully adopt ICT resource strategy where there is no adequate supply of power and that is the current picture at university of Lagos Teaching hospital. Moreover, ICT infrastructure including computers and other sophisticated hardware and software among others is lacking and the problems of standardized and interoperability make it more difficult to have a resilient health care system. Illiteracy has largely affected ICT resource strategy adoption in the health care sector. Culture may influence the level of illiteracy in technology in information and even in other field. Health care professionals are not technical nor are they ICTs experts, hence for them to operate the systems they need as much training and support for the systems and they might be reluctant to adopt the systems if they are not given adequate support attributes low adoption of ICT resource strategy among developing countries to lack of computer skills amongst the clinicians. Illiteracy in terms of ICT proficiency has also retarded the smooth running of the system as many of the health care professionals lack the requisite knowledge and skills in the use of ICT and this one way or the other compromises quality of care. Lack of finances and equipment resources is a challenge to public health institutions in the adoption of modern technologies. In developing countries quality of healthcare services is low due to poor public resource management describes financial management is an art and a science in any industry, but health care is particularly challenging because industry changes so fast. The cost of training employees (healthcare professionals) has continued to be a key issue in adoption of ICT resources in Lagos state. Besides, healthcare facilities do not develop training plans. This study seeks to assess the effects of Information and Communication Technology on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching Hospital. One of the major challenges undermining ICT application is the issue of finance. The adoption of modern technologies requires huge financial commitment and investment to make it workable and ultimately harness the full potential of end-users.

Objective of the study

The following objectives will be ascertained;

1. To ascertain the knowledge and attitude of staff towards the use of ICT on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital
2. To ascertain the efficient and effective is the use of ICT on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching Hospital
3. To ascertain the factors opposed against the application of ICT on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital
4. To find out the perception of health workers on the use of technology on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital

Research Question

The following research question will be formulated;

1. What is the knowledge and attitude of staff towards the use of ICT on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital?
2. How efficient and effective is the use of ICT on health service delivery at University at University of Lagos teaching Hospital?
3. What are the factors opposed against the application of ICT on health service delivery at University at University of Lagos teaching hospital?
4. What is the perception of health workers on the use of technology on health service delivery at University of Lagos teaching hospital?

Significance of the study

The study will be very significant to students and ministry of health. The study will give a clear insight on the effects of technology utilization on health services delivery. Technological innovations in healthcare have facilitated much smoother communication within healthcare organizations. Medical professionals can now use media such as video, online discussion platforms and real-time meeting capacities to communicate and advance the spread of knowledge in the field. The study will also serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic

Scope of the study

The scope of the study covers effects of technology utilization on health services delivery in Lagos state. The study will be limited to University of Lagos teaching Hospital

Limitation of the study

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

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