Background: The successful integration of mobile information technology (IT) and existing health information technology (HIT) requires a critical evaluation of factors that may impede implementation and end-user perceptions of new technology.

Purpose: Using a mixed-method approach researchers interviewed and issued questionnaires to a family medicine faculty and residents to ascertain: 1) usability of iPad features and functions in a practice setting, and 2) perceptions of barriers to and support for implementation of HIT in a clinical setting.

Methods: Two faculty physicians and one resident were interviewed to discuss the HIT infrastructure for the clinical site, as well as attitudes and preferences about iPad usability. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed. Resident and faculty physicians (n=42) from a family medicine residency completed an American Medical Association survey on HIT readiness. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were tabulated.

Results: Both interview and survey participants reported individual readiness for HIT adoption, while listing environmental barriers. Interview participants also described physical and software features of the iPad they would find useful in practice. Survey respondents reported clinical staff readiness as a strength for adoption of HIT.

Conclusion: Participants reported readiness to integrate HIT into clinical practice and have a clear idea of useful device features. HIT adoption may be hampered by environmental factors, and future research should focus in this area.

Background: Eye screening programs have been effective in reducing the burden of eye diseases in the developing world.  Most use paper recording systems which are prone to misplacement and are inefficient for auditing purposes.  Digital data collection via mobile devices may prove more efficient, but reliable strategies information sharing between devices in rural settings remain an issue. This paper examines the speed and range of use of Mobile Tethering technology to synchronize data across devices, and hence the suitability of such devices in the eye screening setting.

Methods: The data synchronization feature of eyePatients software for iPhone and iPad was tested using an Apple iPhone 4 as the central router, with Mobile Tethering activated. Apple iPad 2 devices were connected to the wireless local area networks (WiFi) generated by the iPhone 4. The linear range of data synchronization and the effect of corners and barriers on synchronization were tested.

Results: Synchronization was rapid, taking between 1.0-1.5 seconds to complete when linear distance was within 30 meters.  Beyond 34 meters considerable slowing was noted and no successful connections were able to be established beyond 40 meters. A single corner had no statistically significant effect on the maximum range of a single tether connection, but two corners or a door barrier had a small but statistically significant reduction on range.

Conclusion: Mobile Tethering provides a reliable and fast connection between multiple devices that can be used for the synchronization of large amounts of data required for eye screening purposes.