Help is a call away : an examination of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by midwives in Aceh Besar

• Main Authors: Ang, Justina, Fiana Santoso, Hsu, Lin
• Other Authors: May Oo Lwin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/14851
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The development of information communication technologies (ICTs) often intertwines with challenges that deter the effective use of ICTs. These factors could in turn cause barriers to the profiting of ICT benefits. Thus, this research investigates the benefits of, and barriers to, the effective use of ICTs within the healthcare system in Aceh Besar, Indonesia. Central to the purpose of this study, the value of ICT to education theoretical framework was used as the basis for our research. We proposed an extended framework, ICT to healthcare development, which included the investigation of barriers to the use of ICTs. This framework was conceptualised to gain a deeper understanding about the complexities surrounding ICT usage. Qualitative research methods were employed to study the effect of ICTs on maternal and infant healthcare through the Aceh Besar Midwives Mobile-Phone Project. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted over three phases, and subsequently involved detailed analysis of the opinions of 86 participants. The findings showed ICT-utilisation benefits such as the facilitation of smoother communication, greater time efficiency, and better access to medical information. On the other hand, barriers such as Infrastructural, Economic, Technological, and Socio-cultural factors were also observed. Findings supported our proposed framework and added an applied perspective to the theory. Overall, the framework aims to provide future researchers with useful insights into the impact of ICTs, and aid in public policy-making and future health and social marketing of ICTs in developing countries. These implications are further deliberated upon within the discussion.