Only 38% Have a Mobile Policy: HIMSS Releases Survey, Launches mHIMSS

HIMSS reports that although its clinicians are accessing information through a mobile device, only 38 percent say they have a policy in place that regulates the use of mobile devices and outlines a mobile strategy.

HIMSS released the results of its First Annual Mobile Technology Survey at the 2011 mHealth Summit in Washington D.C. this month. The survey includes responses from 164 members surveyed in October and November 2011.

About half say they are developing a mobile technology policy, while close to two-thirds plan to have a policy in place in the next six months. The results point to widespread mHealth use in healthcare settings, but also indicates upper-level management is having problems keeping up with the technology.

Driving fast-paced technological change is a trend known as Bring Your Own Device, part of the “Consumerization of IT.”  Physicians are bringing their own devices, tablets and smartphones into the organization and expect to be able to use them as needed.

According to Nick Dawson, administrative director of community engagement at Bon Secours Health System, some have two, in some extreme cases three, devices. “We’ve got a pretty substantial technology investment as an organization. Should people get a third or fourth device? That is a question we’re still answering,” he says.

Some key findings of the HIMSS Mobile Technology Survey:

• 3.88 was the average rating of respondents for the maturity of their mobile environment on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 is not mature and 7 if highly mature.
• Roughly 75 percent said their organization allows clinicians to access clinical data via a mobile device on a public network with approved security, such as a VPN.
• Respondents cited key benefits to be improved access to patient information and the ability to view data from a remote location.
• Barriers to the use of mobile technology were identified as inadequate privacy and security.
• Speed of accessing data was a top concern of clinicians.

Download the HIMSS Mobile Technology Survey.

HIMSS also recently launched mHIMSS, a platform for the global mobile community. In addition to news, white papers and events, topics for the new mHIMSS site include:

• Emerging Practices
• Privacy And Security
• Infrastructure
• Apps
• Policy
• Finance
• Consumers
• Usability
• Standards

HIMSS says mHIMSS is entirely focused on mobile technologies, workflow, and data exchange, and builds on its existing strengths: sharing knowledge, providing world-class education, public policy, research, and content.

You can also view all the presentations from the 2011 mHealth Summit!