Advancement of Collaborative Technologies in Health and Wellness

Abstract

Abstract The emergence of digital solutions such as collaborative technologies have presented prominent positive aspects of how these digital innovations can lead to an improved integration of care by means of information channels and deliver healthcare that is more effective, efficient, targeted and person-centred and also reduce errors and the length of hospitalization in the health facilities. Aim: To assess the advancement of collaborative technologies in health and wellness in the St. Patrick’s Hospital at Offinso, in the Offinso South Municipality of Ashanti region of Ghana. Methodology: The study is a descriptive study and it employed a quantitative approach using semi-structured questionnaire designed using google form to collect the data online. The research population for this study consists of staff from the various departments at the hospital comprising the managers, heads of department and health professionals (end users) which included doctors, pharmacist, records officers, laboratory technicians, administrative and IT staff and all others who used the system in the health facility. Result: The study revealed that there is high cost of acquisition of collaborative technologies especially at the initial stage. Also, the study results show that unwillingness of team members to collaborate is a challenge to the use of collaborative technologies. Conclusion: The expectation of Collaborative technologies at St. Patrick’s Hospital have been met and the use of collaborative technologies has been very beneficial to the staff especially those who use them often.