The role of Information and Communication Technologies in Healthcare Essay

Use of personal devices for professional communication

Workers are always advised to use the office or work devices while performing official duties (Aceto et al., 2018). Using personal devices has been attributed to many risks, and therefore many organizations discourage their use. Also, some data handled using these devices needs privacy protection from unauthorized loss. In healthcare, nurses have used cell phones to text and email physicians, the agency, and local hospitals. This paper provides the advantages and disadvantages of using personal devices for professional communication and the preferred type of communication. The role of Information and Communication Technologies in Healthcare Essay

Advantages of using personal devices in the official communication

Flexibility, with personal devices, nurses can communicate with physicians both inside and outside the work environment, thus making communication easy without the geographical difference brought about by location (Aceto et al., 2018). This can be very helpful, especially during emergencies. Another advantage is the familiarity and convenience as they are used to their devices, thus reducing the need for training. Nurses are familiar with their devices and can easily read emails and respond to texts. It also helps the organization avoid the cost of purchasing devices, as their employees can use their own devices (Aceto et al., 2018). The nurses bear the cost and expenses of maintaining their personal devices, saving the agency maintenance cost.

ORDER  HERE A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Disadvantages of personal devices on official communication

Security is not guaranteed in personal devices as it would in official gadgets. Sensitive content might be exposed or lost because their devices are prone to lose or theft, thus risking the patient’s privacy (Aceto et al., 2018). This also violates the data protection rules and regulations. The agency has limited control of nurses’ actions as they have no control over personal devices. This prevents the agency from guaranteeing patients the privacy of their personal information. Separating personal data from organizational information might be challenging. The role of Information and Communication Technologies in Healthcare Essay

As the agency, I would prefer organizational devices over personal devices. Even though some advantages are associated with personal devices, such as flexibility and familiarity, lack of control and potential security risks outweigh their benefits (Koivunen et al., 2015). It is easy to enforce the security of the agency devices by using a secure login. Data can be encrypted, and the use of remote wiping and management of device activities thus ensure the protection of patient information (Aceto et al., 2018).

References

Aceto, G., Persico, V., & Pescapé, A. (2018). The role of Information and Communication Technologies in healthcare: taxonomies, perspectives, and challenges. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 107, 125-154.

Koivunen, M., Niemi, A., & Hupli, M. (2015). The use of electronic devices for communication with colleagues and other healthcare professionals–nursing professionals’ perspectives. Journal of advanced nursing, 

In a local home healthcare agency, nurses are using their personal cell phones to email and text physicians, the agency, and local hospitals. The agency is considering providing the nurses company cell phones with a secure login. There are advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Step 2: Your first post is based on the first letter of your last name. For example, if your last name is Smith, you would address the use of company devices. Please consider impact of use, tracking of information, security, education, cost, and maintenance. The role of Information and Communication Technologies in Healthcare Essay

What are the advantages of using personal devices for professional communication?

What are the disadvantages of using personal devices for professional communication?

If you were the agency, would you choose personal or company devices? Explain your choice. The role of Information and Communication Technologies in Healthcare Essay