08 February 2017

Research claims mobile optimised working environments help create satisfied healthcare staff.

The use of mobile technology in and out of the workplace is making a positive impact on the productivity and job satisfaction of healthcare workers, according to a new study.

In a survey carried out last March on behalf of Aruba, researchers from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) questioned 333 full-time employees from health organisations across nine countries: Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, UAE, UK and the US.

Fifty-nine per cent reported being more productive in their jobs as a result of mobile technology, while 48 per cent said they felt more satisfied in their job if they perceived their employer to be a good provider of mobile working practices.

The study also suggested that mobile optimised working leaves healthcare service workers feeling more loyal and creative in their work. 

When asked what was driving this, the EIU identified three key trends: 39 per cent said working anytime and anywhere has the greatest impact on their job satisfaction; 38 per cent said that the ability to collaborate effectively has a significant impact on how creative they are at their job; and 31 per cent placed the freedom to work anywhere in the office as the greatest impact to loyalty.

While the use of mobile technology for employees has gained popularity in recent years, some hospitals still restrict the use of mobiles within their premises for fear of interference with medical equipment. 

However, with 29 per cent of healthcare workers now stating they wouldn’t work for an organisation that prevents them from using their mobile devices for work, the study suggests employers will find it increasingly difficult to ignore staff demands for mobility.

The study also found that while nearly half of the respondents rated their company’s use of mobile technology as ‘good’ or ‘pioneers’, there is still room for improvement.

Eight in ten large healthcare organisations do not offer training on how to use mobile devices more effectively for work, and 68 per cent do not offer employees digital collaboration tools for mobile devices, such as Slack or Gchat.