Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China
The significant investments of governments in the area of ICTs has been concentrated in the delivery of urban-based health information systems (HIS) (Chiasson & Davidson, 2004). However, rural healthcare in China has been neglected during the development of such market-based health services. Thu...
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| Format: | Final Year Project (FYP) |
| Language: | English |
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2011
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/92176 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/6712 |
| _version_ | 1811686622117232640 |
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| author | Tran, Khanh Phuong Chia, Cathy Wei Si Ng, Felicia Su Hway |
| author2 | Arul Indrasen Chib |
| author_facet | Arul Indrasen Chib Tran, Khanh Phuong Chia, Cathy Wei Si Ng, Felicia Su Hway |
| author_sort | Tran, Khanh Phuong |
| collection | NTU |
| description | The significant investments of governments in the area of ICTs has been concentrated in the delivery of urban-based health information systems (HIS) (Chiasson & Davidson, 2004). However, rural healthcare in China has been neglected during the development of such market-based health services. Thus, this research paper seeks to investigate the effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within the rural healthcare system, specifically in Xi’an, China. The benefits of, and barriers to, the effective use of these ICTs were analysed using the theoretical model -Value of ICTs Model (Chib, Lwin, Ang, Lin, & Santoso, 2008). In particular we assessed the health information needs, the existing healthcare structure, and the use of informal networks—“guanxi”—to acquire health information. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews (N=74) were conducted over a period of one month from both the urban and rural healthcare sectors in Xi’an. Respondents included village doctors (30), rural patients (10), urban doctors (17), and 17 other stakeholders in the healthcare sector in Xi’an. Analysis of transcripts showed ICT-utilization benefits, including the facilitation of communication, greater time efficiency, and better access to medical information. As suggested by the theoretical model, infrastructural, economic, socio-cultural, and technological vulnerabilities were also observed. In addition, the use of informal networks “guanxi” was found prevalent amongst Chinese rural doctors, particularly in mobile phone and QQ online social network usage. The implications of these findings for research and policy-making are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T05:03:20Z |
| format | Final Year Project (FYP) |
| id | ntu-10356/92176 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T05:03:20Z |
| publishDate | 2011 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/921762020-09-27T20:12:28Z Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China Tran, Khanh Phuong Chia, Cathy Wei Si Ng, Felicia Su Hway Arul Indrasen Chib Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication The significant investments of governments in the area of ICTs has been concentrated in the delivery of urban-based health information systems (HIS) (Chiasson & Davidson, 2004). However, rural healthcare in China has been neglected during the development of such market-based health services. Thus, this research paper seeks to investigate the effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within the rural healthcare system, specifically in Xi’an, China. The benefits of, and barriers to, the effective use of these ICTs were analysed using the theoretical model -Value of ICTs Model (Chib, Lwin, Ang, Lin, & Santoso, 2008). In particular we assessed the health information needs, the existing healthcare structure, and the use of informal networks—“guanxi”—to acquire health information. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews (N=74) were conducted over a period of one month from both the urban and rural healthcare sectors in Xi’an. Respondents included village doctors (30), rural patients (10), urban doctors (17), and 17 other stakeholders in the healthcare sector in Xi’an. Analysis of transcripts showed ICT-utilization benefits, including the facilitation of communication, greater time efficiency, and better access to medical information. As suggested by the theoretical model, infrastructural, economic, socio-cultural, and technological vulnerabilities were also observed. In addition, the use of informal networks “guanxi” was found prevalent amongst Chinese rural doctors, particularly in mobile phone and QQ online social network usage. The implications of these findings for research and policy-making are discussed. Bachelor of Communication Studies 2011-02-08T02:54:36Z 2019-12-06T18:18:41Z 2011-02-08T02:54:36Z 2019-12-06T18:18:41Z 2010 2010 Final Year Project (FYP) Tran, K. P., Chia, C. W. S., & Ng, F. S. H. (2010). Tapping Informal Networks “Guanxi” with Information and Communication Technologies : Empowering Rural Doctors in Xi’an, China. Final year project report, Nanyang Technological University. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/92176 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/6712 en Nanyang Technological University 112 p. application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication Tran, Khanh Phuong Chia, Cathy Wei Si Ng, Felicia Su Hway Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China |
| title | Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China |
| title_full | Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China |
| title_fullStr | Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China |
| title_short | Tapping informal networks “Guanxi” with information and communication technologies : empowering rural doctors in Xi’an, China |
| title_sort | tapping informal networks guanxi with information and communication technologies empowering rural doctors in xi an china |
| topic | DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/92176 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/6712 |
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