Healthcare Gets Smarter

Abstract

There is the emerging use of smart and digital (modern) technologies, such as smart TVs, Internet of Things-connected devices, mobile devices, Big Data software and analytics in healthcare practice and administration. The deployment of such technologies is meant to provide quality, prompt, accurate, tangible information and other critical resources for patients. At a national level, drone technology is being used in African countries like Ghana and Rwanda to deliver critical medications and blood supplies to hospitals difficult to reach because of poor road infrastructure. This chapter of the book explores what technologies are being deployed at institutional levels to provide efficient medical care to patients. Fifteen maternal and neonatal health care practitioners in Accra, Ghana, were interviewed on their use of modern technologies in healthcare administration and delivery and what their challenges are. The study also explored what technologies they currently do not have that they think will be of benefit to their practice.