Sociocultural and Technological Barriers Across all Phases of Implementation for Mobile Health in Developing Countries

O'Connor, Yvonne; O'Connor, Siobhan; Heavin, Ciara; Gallagher, Joe; O'Donoghue, John

Abstract

In recent years scholars are realising the importance of examining mobile health (mHealth) implementation in developing countries. A vast array of research exists which focuses on barriers of mHealth adoption in such domains. However, the majority of these papers embrace the concept of adoption to cover the entire process of implementation. This chapter acknowledges that various phases of implementation exist. As a result, the researchers identify potential barriers for each phase of mHealth implementation in developing countries. By examining extant literature, this study reveals that various sociocultural and technological factors across individuals and organisations collectively can hinder mHealth implementation in developing regions. Extant research indicates that the focus of mHealth in these constituencies, a nascent area of research, places too much emphasis on the benefits associated with mHealth implementation. Subsequently, this chapter endeavours to outline the barriers that should assist with overcoming common obstacles in the successful implementation of mHealth initiatives in developing countries.

Citation

O'Connor, Y., O'Connor, S., Heavin, C., Gallagher, J., & O'Donoghue, J. (2016). Sociocultural and Technological Barriers Across all Phases of Implementation for Mobile Health in Developing Countries. In D. Al-Jumeily, A. Hussain, C. Mallucci, & C. Oliver (Eds.), Applied Computing in Medicine and Health (212-230). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-803468-2.00010-2

• Acceptance Date: Jun 1, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Sep 4, 2015
• Publication Date: 2016
• Deposit Date: Oct 17, 2016
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Pages: 212-230
• Edition: 1st
• Book Title: Applied Computing in Medicine and Health
• Chapter Number: 10
• ISBN: 9780128034682
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-803468-2.00010-2
• Keywords: eHealth; mHealth; mobile; developing countries; digital health
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/387386