Preliminary investigation to explore perceptions of security issues associated with wireless technology in healthcare in Australia

The adoption of wireless technology is expected to be especially beneficial to the healthcare industry because of the potential it offers to improve the adoption of health systems, provide more timely access to information and capture of data in care settings. Wireless user devices are expected to facilitate access to information and entry of data at the point of care. This may better fit practice settings where clinicians are moving between patients such as in wards rather than, for example, clinics where desk-based devices may be appropriate. Wireless technology will provide a component of infrastructure necessary for better sharing of health information for quality care planning and delivery. A major issue for the adoption of wireless technology in healthcare is the ability of wireless technology to secure sensitive health data during the exchange of information.This paper reports on the first stage of a research programme involving gathering user perceptions using qualitative approach. Further stages will involve quantitative approaches based upon issues identified in the first stage.