ICT technology use within public health clinics: A case study in a Gauteng township

Abstract

This interpretive case study identified factors that affected the effective usage of ICT in three clinics, based in a low income, urban area in Gauteng, South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from healthcare professionals, administrators and IT professionals at the clinics. It was found that appropriate policy and incentives were not in place and there was a lack of staff ICT capabilities. These are public healthcare sector ICT readiness factors and they should be addressed before introducing health information systems and associated technologies. A conceptual framework derived from Technology Organization Environment (TOE) and Human Organization Technology-fit (HOT-fit) was used and this may serve as a guideline to clinics and other organizations to determine the technology-readiness of the organisation. This framework may serve as a guideline to clinics and other organizations to determine the technology-readiness of the organisation and the potential uses of ICT.