JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Health information technology is transforming medical practice by reducing costs and improving quality of care. Clinical skill development depends on both experience and reliable, context-specific information, but the abundance of sources can make access challenging. Smartphones and cloud-based platforms enable point-of-care access to medical knowledge, yet expert review and standardized guidelines remain essential to ensure quality.

Objective:

To address these needs, our institution implemented C8, a cloud-based health platform designed to centralize medical knowledge, including local protocols, international guidelines, administrative documents, and training resources. Prior studies in Switzerland demonstrated its usability and acceptance. To evaluate its effectiveness in our healthcare system, we conducted a survey before and after C8’s implementation.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study used surveys to assess anesthesia providers’ experiences with C8 at MetroHealth. IRB exemption was granted. Approximately 150 anesthesia providers were invited; non-MetroHealth providers were excluded. Surveys were distributed via SurveyMonkey at two time points: June 2024 (initial use) and December 2024 (after six months).

Results:

Survey responses increased from 27 initially to 37 at follow-up. User satisfaction improved significantly (p<0.001): “satisfied” or “very satisfied” rose from 23% to 84%, while dissatisfaction fell from 41% to 3%. Ease of finding information improved (p<0.001), with positive ratings rising from 15% to 73%. Search functionality also improved (p<0.001): successful searches increased from 30% to 73%, while unsuccessful searches fell from 22% to 0%. Although overall search success rates rose (40% to 44% reporting 75–100% success), this was not statistically significant (p=0.2). Access frequency to guidelines remained stable, but those using them 2–3 times weekly increased from 11% to 30%. The operating room remained the primary access point, with new use at home (0% to 11%). Device preference shifted significantly (p<0.001), with smartphone use rising from 15% to 92% and OR computer use falling from 48% to 0%. Information dissemination improved markedly (p<0.001), with effectiveness ratings of “effective” or “very effective” increasing from 18% to 68%. Support for future departmental use rose from 37% to 89% (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

C8’s implementation significantly improved satisfaction, usability, and mobile accessibility. These findings support broader adoption of mobile-optimized platforms for clinical information delivery. Further research should evaluate long-term clinical outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.