Mobile devices allow clinicians to work remotely,accessing clinical systems and applications away from the traditional office environment. Turner (2015) described mobile working as the ability to access clini-cal records while being ‘on the move’ by using a dedicated mobile device. For some NHS trusts, the use of mobile devices is not a new concept and has been embedded within community practice, while other trusts are now investing in this technology. Pilot studies have identified a number of benefits from the use of mobile devices, including improved efficiency. The Department of Health (DH) (2013a) confirmed that using a mobile device has helped to improve productivity and efficiency within NHS community services. Clinical staff have provided positive feedback in relation
to mobile device utilisation, as they are able to access clinical systems in real time. According to the DH (2013a), community staff found that mobile devices supported improved communication and access to clinical records, while allowing them to work more flexibly, thus having a positive effect on their work–life balance.
Importance of IT support
There is a need for community staff to have access to appropriate IT support so that any issues experienced within practice can be resolved quickly. The DH (2013b) stressed the
need for IT support services to receive additional training to increase their skills base, consider an extension to their service hours, and provide swift response times to help resolve functional issues related to mobile devices. While this may be
the ideal solution, it is likely that NHS trusts will be providing different levels of the quality and availability of support in terms of IT, thus affecting the service community nurses
receive. Without the support to resolve issues associated with mobile devices in practice, the benefits of this technology cannot be fully acknowledged. Facey (2013) recommended
that the benefits of mobile working will only be realised if the technology is fully functioning and there is appropriate support from IT technicians to resolve issues quickly and
effectively. Community staff will require support from their line managers if they experience IT problems when using mobile devices as this may affect their ability to carry out
their workload. The DH (2011) emphasised the importance of enhanced IT support services being readily available before the deployment of mobile devices to ensure the implementation is as successful as possible.