This project was a collaboration between a unit at Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, and InterMedia. The purpose of the project was to explore mobile technologies’ feasibility to 1) enable learning in the workplace by improved access to information and knowledge, and 2) support coordination and collaboration between health care providers in different roles and locations. During the project period, the main focus was given to the potential for improving coordination and collaboration. Nurses and doctors were involved in the process of developing video scenarios to illustrate future use of wireless mobile technologies. The scenarios were used in discussion to clarify professional responsibilities and organizational contexts.
To develop ideas and solutions for the use of mobile technology (Pocket PCs and tablet PCs) to improve the flow of information and communication in everyday work among doctors and nurses employed at Norwegian hospitals.
Participatory design, Video-based scenarios, Socio-cultural historical activity theory, Actor-network theory.
Observation of work routines at the hospital and the use of existing means for communication and information sharing. Development of video scenarios based on user involvement and participation. Interviewing nurses and doctors on potential gains and losses by implementing mobile communication and information sharing.
Individual, organisational and technological aspects related to the implementation of new infrastructures for communication and collaboration
At the time of the project, wireless networks did not satisfy the demand for secure transmission of patient data. This must be solved before hospitals can fully benefit from the qualities of mobile technology in their everyday work. Further deployment of mobile devices to support providers in different roles and in different locations can prove to be efficient to improve information access, communication and coordination in collaborative practices, and improve patient safety.
Ole Smørdal, Anne Moen, Tove Kristiansen, Yngve Refseth, Berit Mortensen and Terje Osnes: “Participatory Design and Infrastructures for Coordination and Communication in Interdisciplinary Mobile Health Teams”, paper presented at MedInfo 2004, San Fransisco, September 2004.
Anne Moen, Ole Smørdal, Tove Kristiansen, Yngve Refseth, Berit Mortensen & Terje Osnes: “Information Sharing in Interdisciplinary Mobile Health Teams”, paper presented at the conference IT in Health care – sociotechnical approaches, Portland, September 2004.