Abstract
Advances in hand-held mobile devices (smart phones and tablets) have the potential to alter the practice of healthcare. How this technology revolution impacts the delivery of health care, in particular, biomedical/clinical laboratory practice has yet to be clearly elucidated. The question addressed in this study was to investigate the impact of wire-less technology on the profession by soliciting input directly from biomedical/clinical laboratorians. Using questionnaires laboratorians were queried how hand-held mobile devices would assist in improving diagnosis, treatment strategies and therapeutic outcomes in patients. It questioned whether the healthcare community feels these devices will make healthcare more cost effective and affordable. The questionnaire was distributed to biomedical/clinical laboratorians globally. One hundred and six questionnaires were analyzed and the overall response rate was found to be significant (P value < 0.05). The respondents concluded the use of hand-held mobile devices have and will continue to improve the efficiency of disseminating laboratory data. Devices will assist in biomedical/clinical assessment of patients through more efficient reporting of test results, eventually providing data directly to the patient. Respondents noted such devices should allow for improved access to web-based medical literature, test procedures, treatment protocols and clinical guidelines. Respondents also reported devices should improve laboratory work productivity and efficiency. This study will to continue to monitor the impact of hand-held mobile devices in other healthcare fields in order to elucidate the impact of mobile devices on healthcare delivery and practice.
Key words: wireless technology, smartphone devices, laboratory data