Migration from Resource Based To Knowledge Based Strategy for e-Health Implementation in Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper investigated how knowledge acquisition and transfer impact on usage of ICT and e-health resources in state hospitals in South Africa. A case study approach was used. Ten participants were purposively selected from five state hospitals in North West Province. Data collected used semi-structured open ended interview questions. Interviewees were asked to tell ICT and e-health tools available in their hospitals and which e-health application was frequently used; how hospitals transfer and store knowledge about ICT or e-health application for workers. Findings revealed that much ICT and e-health infrastructure have been procured for hospitals but usage of these infrastructure by doctors is low due to lack of know how. There is no knowledge management system to support doctors to use ICT and e-health facilities. The research further revealed that ICT and e-health knowledge are transferred from friend to friend through verbal communication. The results led to a proposed Knowledge Based Migration Framework (KBMF) to assist hospitals move from resource-based concept to knowledge-based concept to empower doctors use e-health facilities which are in hospitals.