Mobile Working in Healthcare Sector Linked to Improved Productivity and Job Satisfaction, Study Shows

DUBAI, UAE, 1st February, 2017– The use of mobile technology in and out of the workplace is making a positive impact on the productivity and job satisfaction of healthcare employees, according to research conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and sponsored by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company.

The findings suggest that nearly six in ten (59%) of workers report being more productive in their jobs as a result of mobile technology, while nearly half (48%) are more satisfied in their job if they perceived their employer to be a good provider of mobile working practices.

While the use of mobile technology for employees has gained popularity in recent years, some hospitals still restrict the use of mobile phones within their premises for fear of interference with medical equipment. However the report suggests we may be arriving at a point where employee demands for mobility can no longer be ignored: almost a third (29%) of healthcare workers now state they would not work for a company that would not allow them to use their mobile devices for work.

When asked about their drivers of being more productive, loyal, creative and satisfied were, a number of key trends stood out within the EIU report:

39% said working anytime, anywhere has the greatest impact on their job satisfaction
38% of employees said that the ability to collaborate effectively has a significant impact on how creative they are at their job.
31% place the freedom to work anywhere in the office as the greatest impact to loyalty

The study also suggested that mobile optimised working leaves healthcare service workers feeling more loyal (36%) and more creative in their work (41%).

Interestingly, nearly half (47%) of healthcare workers rated their company’s use of mobile technology as ‘good’ or ‘pioneers’. However, the research suggested that 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% do not offer employees digital collaboration tools for mobile devices, such as Slack or Gchat.

Saadi Kawkji, SE Director Middle East and Turkey at Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company commented: “The healthcare sector has always been one of innovation and curiosity, noted for being at the forefront of the mobile technology revolution, with wearable devices and personal fitness apps offering unprecedented insight into patient health and at the other send of the spectrum, a clear demand for a better mobile practice for its employees.

“These findings suggest that the healthcare sector has a real opportunity to not only bolster employee satisfaction but also strengthen the service provided to the general public. To reach that goal, employers must offer the training and tools needed to expand their growing mobile workforce.”