MedIMob - Instant Messaging and Presence in Healthcare

The objective of this project is to study and evaluate use and usability of the collaborative technologies known as Instant Messaging and Presence (IM/P) within selected healthcare environments.

Background

Instant Messaging (IM) offers asynchronous communication similar to e-mail, but is better suited for near synchronous communication because messages are delivered almost in real time. Presence information also makes it easier for the users to see what persons and resources are available at any time.

During the last few years, IM has proven its value as media for personal communication, both for peer-to-peer channels and as a conferencing platform. This adoption has mainly been seen in private social contexts.

Adoption in workplace has been slower; but several recent studies describe the use of IM within organisations. To our knowledge, no studies similar to the ones referred to above have been performed within healthcare settings in order to understand the usefulness and limits of IM technology in the healthcare domain.

For healthcare workers, mobility is an ever-present aspect of their work. A Danish study which focuses on local mobility in a hospital department, divides the need for mobility into four categories: 1) the need for being at different physical places, 2) the need to access knowledge, 3) the need to use shared resources, and 4) the need to get in contact with specific persons.

Healthcare professionals would need mobile information devices (e.g. smart phones) to be reachable by IM also when not in the office.

Project description

The intention of this project is to investigate in which situations this type of service can be used within healthcare, and for which purposes it is possible and useful.

Publications

Bønes, E., Hasvold, P., Henriksen, E., Strandenæs, T.:
Risk analysis of information security in a mobile instant messaging and presence system for healthcare.
(IJMI - in press, 2006)

Financing

The project is financed by the regional health authorities, Helse Nord TFU.

Project period

01.01.2005 - 31.12.2006

Contact person at NST

Eva Henriksen, telephone +47 957 31 836

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