Abstract

Mobile technology, such as smart phones and tablet computers, allows health care professionals to monitor, connect, and communicate with clients and their family members about various disease conditions. Health professionals working within the All Nations' Healing Hospital and First Nations Health Services of the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council, Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada introduced iPads and medical applications into their practice. A project team of health care professionals and information technology staff partnered to strengthen client education in the areas of chronic disease, women’s health, and home care, wherever the client was receiving care, including hospital, home, or community health clinic. Successes included improved communication, an increase in teaching resources, and improved access to professional practice resources. Challenges within the delivery of the project included the technology itself, lack of evidenced-based medical applications, and connectivity issues.