Are we on the same page? Exploring stakeholders' shared mental models of mobile health in rural Nigeria.

Journal: Health informatics journal

Volume: 26

Issue: 4

Year of Publication: 2021

Affiliated Institutions:  Dublin City University, Ireland. University College Cork, Ireland. Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.

Abstract summary 

Despite the benefits promised by mobile health, the introduction of these solutions is often met with resistance from various stakeholders. This article adopts a shared mental model approach to unearth the current perceptions, concerns, and mentalities of key stakeholders engaged in the provision of healthcare in Nigeria. These include policy makers, academics, healthcare professionals, and health information systems developers. Interviews and focus groups were used to examine stakeholders' views across three mental models: (1) the technology, (2) processes, and (3) the team. Our investigations reveal disparities in stakeholders' existing mental models and their perceptions of the proposed mobile health solution. We argue that fostering a common understanding of mobile health, as well as elucidating an improved understanding of processes and team behaviours, will mitigate the risk of resistance among stakeholders involved in the design and delivery of community healthcare services and culminate in a positive attitude towards new mobile health solutions among these stakeholders. We highlight the need to enhance communication and training from national to rural levels to promote complementary mental models and positively influence team performance.

Authors & Co-authors:  Fox Grace G O'Connor Yvonne Y Eze Emmanuel E Ndibuagu Edmund E Heavin Ciara C

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1177/1460458220909715
SSN : 1741-2811
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Delivery of Health Care
Other Terms
eHealth;healthcare providers;mHealth;mobile health;shared mental model theory;stakeholder perceptions
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
England