Authors:
Izak van Zyl
and
Retha de la Harpe
Affiliation:
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Keyword(s):
Health Information Needs, Health Intermediaries, Mobile Application Design, Context.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Biomedical Engineering
;
Design and Development Methodologies for Healthcare IT
;
Distributed and Mobile Software Systems
;
Health Engineering and Technology Applications
;
Health Information Systems
;
Home Care & Health Networks
;
Mobile Technologies
;
Mobile Technologies for Healthcare Applications
;
Neural Rehabilitation
;
Neurotechnology, Electronics and Informatics
;
Software Engineering
Abstract:
Health intermediaries in emerging contexts exhibit a diversity of information needs in conducting their professional duties. There is limited understanding, however, as to the complex needs of these groups. Furthermore, there is still a paucity of research on supporting the information needs of intermediaries via technological means. This paper employs a qualitative meta-analysis in unpacking the dynamism of intermediary practice in South Africa. The authors consider mobile application design in accessing and using health information. A number of critical design considerations are presented, including the role of context as a static and dynamic modality. The authors ultimately derive an information model, which assimilates four intersecting dimensions of context.