Discourse / Discours - Enhancing Nurses' Care and Knowledge Through Access to Technology: An International m-Health Exemplar

Abstract

The use of mobile technologies (i.e., cell phones) in health care is becoming increasingly ubiquitous. From simple (i.e., short message service, or SMS) to complex and real-time applications (i.e., diagnostic remote monitoring), the greatest opportunities lie within the potential of mobile health (m-health) to leapfrog health care in developing countries into the 21st century. This study explored m-health at select health-care sites in 5 Caribbean settings. By introducing and evaluating a user-friendly handheld platform and infrastructure, the study examined nurses' experiences with an m-health intervention, revealing positive impacts on quality of work life and care, evidence-informed approaches, and nurses' contributions to m-health inclusiveness in health informatics policies. The authors describe the path, in resource-challenged environments, to fostering nurses' participation in m-enabled health-care environments. They share lessons learned, challenges and opportunities encountered, and recommendations for bringing these vital tools to similar contexts.