Using Social Networking to Understand Social Networks: Analysis of a Mobile Phone Closed User Group Used by a Ghanaian Health Team
Using Social Networking to Understand Social Networks: Analysis of a Mobile Phone Closed User Group Used by a Ghanaian Health Team
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DOI：
10.2196/jmir.2332
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发表时间：
2013-04-01
影响因子：
7.4
通讯作者：
Levine, Orin
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Kaonga, Nadi Nina;Labrique, Alain;Levine, Orin
背景：组织的网络结构影响组织沟通和管理资源的好坏。在加纳邦萨索的千年村项目地点，引入了一个移动电话封闭用户组，供邦萨索千年村项目保健小组和其他关键人员使用。没有对使用封闭用户组的好处或障碍进行评估。目的：本研究的目的是将社会网络分析方法应用于卫生系统研究，特别是与移动卫生相关的研究。方法：本研究使用了由Bonsaaso千年村项目健康小组组成的一个手机封闭用户组的手机语音记录，对其进行了访谈，并查阅了通话日志。社会网络分析方法辅以定性成分。使用UCINET分析了Airtel Bharti Ghana封闭用户组的月度语音数据，并使用NetDraw创建了网络的可视化描述。使用NVivo对举报人的访谈和通话日志进行分析。结果：该方法成功地帮助识别有效的组织结构。健康管理团队的成员是网络中更核心的角色，而不是社区卫生护士（他们可能被认为是核心角色）。结论：社会网络分析方法可以用来确定一个组织或团队最具生产力的结构，识别沟通中的差距，识别具有最大影响力的关键角色，等等。总之，这种方法可以成为一种有用的分析工具，特别是在流动保健、保健服务以及业务和管理研究方面。
Background: The network structure of an organization influences how well or poorly an organization communicates and manages its resources. In the Millennium Villages Project site in Bonsaaso, Ghana, a mobile phone closed user group has been introduced for use by the Bonsaaso Millennium Villages Project Health Team and other key individuals. No assessment on the benefits or barriers of the use of the closed user group had been carried out.Objective: The purpose of this research was to make the case for the use of social network analysis methods to be applied in health systems research-specifically related to mobile health.Methods: This study used mobile phone voice records of, conducted interviews with, and reviewed call journals kept by a mobile phone closed user group consisting of the Bonsaaso Millennium Villages Project Health Team. Social network analysis methodology complemented by a qualitative component was used. Monthly voice data of the closed user group from Airtel Bharti Ghana were analyzed using UCINET and visual depictions of the network were created using NetDraw. Interviews and call journals kept by informants were analyzed using NVivo.Results: The methodology was successful in helping identify effective organizational structure. Members of the Health Management Team were the more central players in the network, rather than the Community Health Nurses (who might have been expected to be central).Conclusions: Social network analysis methodology can be used to determine the most productive structure for an organization or team, identify gaps in communication, identify key actors with greatest influence, and more. In conclusion, this methodology can be a useful analytical tool, especially in the context of mobile health, health services, and operational and managerial research.