Information and communication technology in health: A review of the literature
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Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Information and communication technology has been shown to be increasingly important in the education and
professional practice of healthcare workers. The World Health Organisation (WHO) discusses the benefits of using
ICT in the Primary Healthcare setting in terms of better access to information, improved communication between
colleagues, facilitating continuing professional development and providing learning tools for healthcare
professionals, patients and the community as a whole. This review of the literature describes the role of information
and communication technology (ICT) in the education and professional practice of healthcare workers and goes on
to outline the challenges facing the widespread adoption of ICT. The conclusion is that ICT does indeed have a
positive role to play in both the education and professional practice of healthcare workers, including
physiotherapists, as long as it is implemented as an adjunct to established and proven practice, and not a
replacement.
Description
Keywords
Information and communication technology (ICT), Education, Healthcare, Professional practice
Citation
Rowe, M. (2008). Information and communication technology in health: A review of the literature. Journal of Community and Health Sciences, 3(1): 68-77