Impacts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Healthcare Service Delivery in Akwa Ibom State: A Study of General Hospitals in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State (2015-2022)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of digital healthcare service delivery in General Hospitals in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research emanates from spread concerns over non-recognition of positive impacts of digital healthcare service delivery in the area. It points out two factors such as information and communication technology and patients’ data management via ICT as major contributors to positive impacts of digital healthcare delivery. Despite efforts from government to upgrade the healthcare sector through digitalization, systematics problems such as poor use of ICT use, manual data management, and failure to recognized its impact has continue to hinder the healthcare system from reaping the positive impact of digital healthcare. The study utilized both survey and descriptive research designs. A structured questionnaire was employed to gather data from a sample of 203 respondents chosen from a total population of 425 staff using purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling techniques. Quantitative statistical methods specifically Chi-square test  were used to analyse data at a 0.05 significance level to determine the relationship between independent variables (information and communication technology and digital patients’ data management) and the dependent variable (healthcare delivery). The findings revealed that information and communication technology have a statistically significant positive effect on healthcare delivery ( = 28.15) leading to accuracy of patients’ diagnosis, timely and efficient delivery of healthcare. Similarly, digital patients’ data management ( = 27.97) was shown to coordinate patient care across departments or facilities, reduce medical errors and improved patient safety especially in general hospitals. The study concludes that information and communication technology is crucial in modern healthcare delivery. It recommends modernization of healthcare system with current ICT equipment and creating awareness on the need to managed patients’ data electronically.