Abstract / Description of output
Context
Despite widespread efforts to improve the quality and safety of healthcare through use of hospital information systems (HIS), many healthcare organizations face challenges in implementation and effective use of these applications, in particular when systems have been developed internationally (mainly in the US). Suppliers of these technologies also find it challenging to produce systems that work effectively across a range of geographical, cultural and institutional boundaries. In this paper, we seek to understand the strategies used by suppliers and adopters of HIS to overcome the challenges involved in the development and adoption of generic overseas systems.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative study, by interviewing 176 individuals (eight organizations), observing two user groups, and running a supplier focus group. We used inductive thematic analysis to assess emerging strategies in developing and implementing overseas packaged HIS in English settings.
Findings
The health sector in England has entered a period of potentially transformative change with many international HIS suppliers entering the market. This has provoked call for the ‘Anglicization’ of generic systems. This endeavor, has resulted in emergence of more or less aligned supplier and user strategies to overcome the difficulties in the process. This includes a continuous process of identification and classification of requests (by suppliers), and unification and voicing of needs (by adopters).
Conclusions
The complexity of health service provision, drives calls for customization of technologies in this sector. Consequent tensions between ‘standardization’ and ‘localization’ are requiring suppliers of generic solutions to develop more sophisticated strategies as they pursue international growth of their market.
Despite widespread efforts to improve the quality and safety of healthcare through use of hospital information systems (HIS), many healthcare organizations face challenges in implementation and effective use of these applications, in particular when systems have been developed internationally (mainly in the US). Suppliers of these technologies also find it challenging to produce systems that work effectively across a range of geographical, cultural and institutional boundaries. In this paper, we seek to understand the strategies used by suppliers and adopters of HIS to overcome the challenges involved in the development and adoption of generic overseas systems.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative study, by interviewing 176 individuals (eight organizations), observing two user groups, and running a supplier focus group. We used inductive thematic analysis to assess emerging strategies in developing and implementing overseas packaged HIS in English settings.
Findings
The health sector in England has entered a period of potentially transformative change with many international HIS suppliers entering the market. This has provoked call for the ‘Anglicization’ of generic systems. This endeavor, has resulted in emergence of more or less aligned supplier and user strategies to overcome the difficulties in the process. This includes a continuous process of identification and classification of requests (by suppliers), and unification and voicing of needs (by adopters).
Conclusions
The complexity of health service provision, drives calls for customization of technologies in this sector. Consequent tensions between ‘standardization’ and ‘localization’ are requiring suppliers of generic solutions to develop more sophisticated strategies as they pursue international growth of their market.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 88-93 |
Journal | International journal of medical informatics |
Volume | 119 |
Early online date | 14 Sept 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2018 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- health information systems
- anglicization
- implementation strategy
- generic applications
Fingerprint
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Robin Williams
- School of Social and Political Science - Personal Chair in Social Research on Technology
- Innogen Institute
Person: Academic: Research Active
Prizes
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AMIA Diana Forsythe Best Paper Award 2019
Mozaffar, Hajar (Recipient), Nov 2019
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)