Exploring healthcare workers’ informal use of personal mobile phones

• We know anecdotally that healthcare workers use their own phones to plug gaps in the healthcare system
• This research project aims to explore how they are doing this, the reasons for this, possible benefits and harms, and ways forward

The mHealth-Innovate research consortium has worked since 2021 on a multi-year project involving:

1.  A HIFA thematic discussion - published in Oxford Open Digital Health. Glenton C et al. 2023: Using an online community of practice to explore the informal use of mobile phones by health workers 
2. A qualitative evidence synthesis - published in the Cochrane Library. Glenton C et al. 2024: Healthcare workers’ informal uses of mobile phones and other mobile devices to support their work: a qualitative evidence synthesis
3. Two primary research projects in Uganda to explore the issues with health workers and with policymakers (2024) - Publication in progress.

Overview of research and findings

See the video (9 mins)

Read the summary (12 pages)

Implications for policy and practice

In 2025 HIFA's role is to review the research findings collectively and discuss the implications for policy and practice.

In the FIRST phase, from now until 21 April, we shall discuss the findings informally. Do the findings resonate with your experience? 

Specifically we shall revisit the findings of our 2023 and 2024 papers and invite HIFA members to comment. We shall explore a range of questions that arise from the findings.

In the SECOND phase, from 22 April to 25 May, we shall build on all of the above to look to the future, with a structured thematic discussion to explore strategies for addressing the downsides of informal mobile phone use while retaining the benefits.

Join the discussion!

If you are not already a member of the HIFA forum, please join us (free): www.hifa.org/joinhifa - all interactions are taking place on the forum.

French, Portuguese and Spanish speakers are invited to join HIFA-French, HIFA-Portuguese and HIFA-Spanish

For more information, see the Health-Innovate project webpage 

Are you planning a research project? Learn how HIFA can add value to your research.

The partners

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Funded by the Research Council of Norway

Topics

Here are some of the topics we are discussing right now. Join us!

Topic 1: How can we maximise the positive aspects of informal mobile phone use (flexibility, convenience etc.)?

Topic 2: What strategies could be used to address the ways in which informal mobile phone use can blur boundaries between healthcare workers’ personal and work lives?

Topic 3: What strategies could be used to address the potential for informal mobile phone use to undermine patients’ privacy and confidentiality and the legal implications of informal use for healthcare workers?

Topic 4: What strategies could be used to help ensure that the healthcare system is not undermined when information is not formally shared and stored as a consequence of informal use?

Topic 5: What strategies could be used to address the cost implications of informal mobile phone use for healthcare workers?