Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Mobile Health Services in Health Organizations

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Complex, Intelligent, and Software Intensive Systems (CISIS 2019)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 993))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 1682 Accesses

Abstract

Mobile health (mHealth) has a crucial role to play in the health sector as it can improve communication and enhance the integration of healthcare processes. The aim of this study is to evaluate and enhance the mHealth services currently available through Saudi Ministry of Health (SMOH) mobile applications. To achieve this aim, the study adopted an applied (evaluation) research method and the data were collected through direct observation. Although the SMOH has developed five mHealth applications to deliver its mHealth services, the study found that they did not include several important health services such as appointment reservation, opening and updating of medical records, patient referee and consultation, physician directory, request for medical reports, and health risk assessments. Implications drawn from the study findings could expand an area of mHealth services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) which has yet to be adequately explored and evaluated. Additionally, the study findings may provide valuable insights for health professionals and administrators.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Liu, C., Zhu, Q., Holroyd, K.A., Seng, E.K.: Status and trends of mobile-health applications for iOS devices: a developer’s perspective. J. Syst. Softw. 84(11), 2022–2033 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Istepanian, R.S., Lacal, J.C.: Emerging mobile communication technologies for health: some imperative notes on m-health. In: Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2003. Proceedings of the 25th Annual International Conference of the IEEE, vol. 2, pp. 1414–1416. IEEE (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Nasi, G., Cucciniello, M., Guerrazzi, C.: The performance of mHealth in cancer supportive care: a research agenda. J. Med. Internet Res. 17(1), e9 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics: Patient apps for improved healthcare: from novelty to mainstream. http://www.imshealth.com/deployedfiles/imshealth/Global/Content/Corporate/IMS%20Health%20Institute/Reports/Patient_Apps/IIHI_Patient_Apps_Report.pdf. Accessed 10 Dec 2015

  5. Molina-Recio, G., García-Hernández, L., Castilla-Melero, A., Palomo-Romero, J.M., Molina-Luque, R., Sánchez-Muñoz, A.A., … Salas-Morera, L.: Impact of health apps in health and computer science publications. A systematic review from 2010 to 2014. In: Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, pp. 24–34. Springer International Publishing (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Alotaibi, M.M.: A study on the needs for educating and managing fasting diabetes through mobile health in kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Comput. Syst. 2, 4 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mechael, P., Sloninsky, D.: Earth Institute at Columbia University. (2008). Towards the development of an mHealth strategy: a literature review. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/goe/mobile_health/mHealthReview_Aug09.pdf

  8. Putzer, G.J., Park, Y.: Are physicians likely to adopt emerging mobile technologies? Attitudes and innovation factors affecting smartphone use in the Southeastern United States. Perspectives in Health Information Management/AHIMA, American Health Information Management Association, 9(Spring) (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Almaiman, A., Bahkali, S., Alfrih, S., Househ, M., El Metwally, A.: The use of health information technology in Saudi primary healthcare centers. Integrating Inf. Technol. Manage. Qual. Care 202, 209 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kahn, J.G., Yang, J.S., Kahn, J.S.: ‘Mobile’ health needs and opportunities in developing countries. Health Aff. 29(2), 252–258 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Akter, S., D’Ambra, J., Ray, P.: Development and validation of an instrument to measure user perceived service quality of mHealth. Inf. Manag. 50(4), 181–195 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Akter, S., Ray, P.: mHealth-an ultimate platform to serve the unserved. IMIA Yearb. Med. Inf. 75–81 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Shields, T., Chetley, A., et al.: ICT in the health sector: summary of the online consultation. InfoDev Working paper 2010. www.infodev.org/en/Document.84.aspx(2010). Accessed 10 May 2010

  14. Franco, M., Tursunbayeva, A.: Mobile technology and public health organisational system. Symphonya. Emerg. Issues Manage. 1, 81–90 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Mechael, P.: The case for mHealth in developing countries. Innovations: Technol. Governance, Globalization 4(1), 103–118 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Porter, M.E., Teisberg, E.O.: Redefining healthcare: creating value based competition on results. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, Massachusetts (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Choi, H., Lee, M., Lm, K.S., Kim, J.: Contribution to quality of life: a new outcome variable for mobile data service. J. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 8(12), 598–618 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Koivisto, M.: Development of quality expectations in mobile information systems. In: International Joint Conference on Computer, Information, and Systems Sciences and Engineering (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kumar, S., Nilsen, W.J., Abernethy, A., Atienza, A., Patrick, K., Pavel, M., … Hedeker, D.: Mobile health technology evaluation: the mHealth evidence workshop. Am. J. Prev. Med. 45(2), 228–236 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Riley, W.T., Rivera, D., Atienza, A., Nilsen, W., Allison, S.M., Mermelstein, R.: Health behavior models in the age of mobile interventions: are our theories up to the task? Transl. Behav. Med. 1, 53–71 (2010). PubMed: 21796270

    Google Scholar 

  21. Krishna, S., Boren, S.A., Bales, E.A.: Healthcare via cell phones: a systematic review. Telemed. J E Health. 15(3), 231–240 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Quinn, C.C., Shardell, M., Terrin, M., Barr, E., Ballew, S., Gruber-Baldini, A.L., Cluster, A.: Randomized trial of a mobile phone personalized behavioral intervention for blood glucose control. Diabetes Care 34, 1934–1942 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Bexelius, C., Lof, M., Sandin, S., Lagerros, Y.T., Forsum, E., Litton, J.E.: Measures of physical activity using cell phones: validation using criterion methods. J Med Internet Res. 12(1), e2 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Burns, M.N., Begale, M., Duffecy, J., et al.: Harnessing context sensing to develop a mobile intervention for depression. J Med Internet Res 13(3), e55 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Steinhubl, S.R., Muse, E.D., Topol, E.J.: Can mobile health technologies transform health care? JAMA 310(22), 2395–2396 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Curioso, W.H.: New technologies and public health in developing countries: the Cell PREVEN project. In: Murero, M., Rice, R. (eds.) The Internet and Health Care: Theory, Research and Practice, pp. 375–393. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah (NJ) (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Aranda-Jan, C.B., Mohutsiwa-Dibe, N., Loukanova, S.: Systematic review on what works, what does not work and why of implementation of mobile health (mHealth) projects in Africa. BMC Public Health 14(1), 188 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Medhanyie, A.A., Little, A., Yebyo, H., Spigt, M., Tadesse, K., Blanco, R., Dinant, G.J.: Health workers’ experiences, barriers, preferences and motivating factors in using mHealth forms in Ethiopia. Hum. Resour. Health 13(1), 2 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Lewis, T.L., Wyatt, J.C.: mHealth and mobile medical apps: a framework to assess risk and promote safer use. J. Med. Internet Res. 16(9), e210 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Becker, S., Miron-Shatz, T., Schumacher, N., Krocza, J., Diamantidis, C., Albrecht, U.V.: mHealth 2.0: experiences, possibilities, and perspectives. JMIR mHealth and uHealth 2(2), e24 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Castaño Labajo, V., Xiao, J.: (2015). Market entry, strategy and business development in mobile health (mHealth) industry

    Google Scholar 

  32. Gagnon, M.P., Ngangue, P., Payne-Gagnon, J., Desmartis, M.: m-Health adoption by healthcare professionals: a systematic review. J. Am. Med. Inform. Assoc. ocv052 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Vincent, C.J., Niezen, G., O’Kane, A.A., Stawarz, K.: Can standards and regulations keep up with health technology?. JMIR mHealth and uHealth 3(2), e64 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Kaphle, S., Chaturvedi, S., Chaudhuri, I., Krishnan, R., Lesh, N.: Adoption and usage of mHealth technology on quality and experience of care provided by frontline workers: observations from rural india. JMIR mHealth and uHealth 3(2), e61 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Hoque, M.R., Karim, M.R., Amin, M.B.: Factors affecting the adoption of mHealth services among young citizen: a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Asian Bus. Rev. 5(2), 60–65 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Azfar, A., Choo, K.K.R., Liu, L.: Forensic Taxonomy of Popular Android mHealth Apps. arXiv preprint arXiv:1505.02905. (2015)

  37. Beratarrechea, A., Kanter, R., Diez-Canseco, F., Fernandez, A., Ramirez-Zea, M., Miranda, J., … Rubinstein, A.: Challenges of implementing mHealth interventions for lifestyle modification in prehypertensive subjects in Argentina, Guatemala, and Peru. In: Technologies for Development, pp. 119–127. Springer International Publishing, Chicago (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Johnston, M., Mobasheri, M., King, D., Darzi, A.: The imperial clarify, design and evaluate (CDE) approach to mHealth app development. BMJ Innovations, bmjinnov-2014 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Lahoti, A.A., Ramteke, P.L.: Advanced healthcare system using e-health & m-health in cloud & mobile environments. Int. J. Eng. Sci. Res. Technol. (2015) ISSN: 2277-9655

    Google Scholar 

  40. Hamine, S., Gerth-Guyette, E., Faulx, D., Green, B.B., Ginsburg, A.S.: Impact of mHealth chronic disease management on treatment adherence and patient outcomes: a systematic review. J. Med. Internet Res. 17(2), e52 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Panayides, A.S., Antoniou, Z.C., Constantinides, A.G.: An overview of mHealth medical video communication systems. In: Mobile Health, pp. 609–633. Springer International Publishing (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Wynekoop, J.L., Conger, S.A.: A review of computer aided software engineering research methods. In: Proceedings of the IFIP TC8 WG 8.2 Working Conference on the Information Systems Research Arena of the 90’s, Copenhagen (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kjeldskov, J., Graham, C.: A review of mobile HCI research methods. In: Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services, pp. 317–335. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Hagen, P., Robertson, T., Kan, M., Sadler, K.: Emerging research methods for understanding mobile technology use. In: Proceedings of the 17th Australia conference on Computer-Human Interaction: Citizens Online: Considerations for Today and the Future, pp. 1–10. Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group (CHISIG) of Australia

    Google Scholar 

  45. Kaplan, B., Maxwell, J.A.: Qualitative research methods for evaluating computer information systems. In: Evaluating the Organizational Impact of Healthcare Information Systems, pp. 30–55. Springer, New York (2005)‏

    Google Scholar 

  46. MOH Apps for Smartphones: (2015). Retrieved from http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Support/Pages/MobileApp.aspx

Download references

Acknowledgment

The author of this study wishes to record his appreciation to the Saudi Ministry of Health for its moral support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hail Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Alsaleh Saad

Authors
  1. Alsaleh Saad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alsaleh Saad .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Faculty of Information Engineering, Fukuoka, Japan

    Leonard Barolli

  2. School of Software, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Ultimo, NSW, Australia

    Farookh Khadeer Hussain

  3. Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Faculty of Information Engineering, Fukuoka, Japan

    Makoto Ikeda

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Saad, A. (2020). Evaluation of Mobile Health Services in Health Organizations. In: Barolli, L., Hussain, F., Ikeda, M. (eds) Complex, Intelligent, and Software Intensive Systems. CISIS 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 993. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22354-0_50

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation