Role of ICT in Health Care Management: Exploring Problems and Prospects of HMIS in India

Abstract

The Health Management Information System (HMIS), incorporation of ICT in health plays crucial role in policy making, informed decision making, monitoring and evaluation of health programmes and its implementation. The study is based on Marshal McLuhan's technological determinism, media richness theory and critical theory of media and technology. The present research aims to study the role of information and communication technology in monitoring, evaluation and policy making. It is a quantitative research. The survey is conducted among 100 respondents. Telephonic interview is conducted among the respondents from Karnataka, a state in India, with semi-structured interview questions. HMIS is a comprehensive health data package which facilitates the comprehensive policy statement. Incorporating equity, integrity and quality in health care is mandate of the government. It is essential to instill confidence among internal and external public of health system as it is critical in transforming policies and programmes into action for social good. The study revealed that the HMIS is still in its infancy greatly due to digital divide. Appropriate training to all the stakeholders (not only data entry operators) would contribute to effective implementation of HMIS. Present study contributes to formation of policy statements with regard to effective implementation of HMIS.