Interdisciplinary information design with an empowerment strategy.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Nursing Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers potential for patient empowerment in healthcare.
• A feedback-focused communication model is crucial for effective ICT implementation in healthcare settings.
• Interdisciplinary teamwork and organizational web maturity are key factors in adopting new healthcare technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an ICT-enabled empowerment model for patients.
• To assess the impact of a feedback-focused communication model on e-health information delivery.
• To explore the application of a risk-driven spiral model for managing complexity in healthcare innovation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a prototyping process with deliberate use of ICT and a feedback-focused communication model.
• Applied a risk-driven spiral model for progress and complexity management.
• Conducted research in cooperation with interdisciplinary health professionals and patient groups at a Danish University Hospital.

Main Results:

• Empowerment was evaluated as successful at the individual level through empiric reception analysis from the patient's perspective.
• Nursing Informatics emerged as a tool enhancing interdisciplinary understanding and enabling nurses to manage patient care themes.
• Iterative modeling confirmed results derived from the patient's perspective.

Conclusions:

• ICT, when implemented with a suitable communication model, can significantly empower patients.
• Nursing Informatics plays a vital role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered care.
• The utilized process model proactively addresses teamwork, organizational maturity, and user interaction with ICT in healthcare.