Modelling computerised clinical pathways

Since the mid 1980s, paper clinical pathways have been used in defining the road map of patient care. They have been used with varying degree of success for providing more cost-effective healthcare and helped to establish quality improvement models for healthcare delivery. Many attempts have been made to produce electronic versions of the paper clinical pathways in order to maximise benefits of the paper based systems. However, all paper systems are designed based on linear sequential model with little decision support capability. Current electronic versions of the paper systems produce only minimal improvements on the functionality of their paper counterparts. A state-transition information model (STIM) grounded in the Object Oriented system design paradigm is used to reconceptualise a computerised clinical pathways design. A computerised clinical pathways prototype is currently being developed based on this STIM model. The prototype will demonstrate improved functionality: better information management and decision support capabilities.