Towards relevant medical information systems

The successful development of computer information systems in medicine is fraught with problems. Structured methods of analysis and design are becoming increasingly popular and are seen as the means of overcoming many of the technical problems associated with these systems. Information systems, however, are notoriously complex and require socially oriented as well as technically oriented solutions. A fundamental problem, in which these two distinct perspectives are intertwined, is the effective communication of requirements between users and designers of medical information systems. In this paper, data modelling is proposed as a means of integrating these approaches by assisting in socio-technical design. One specific diagrammatic variant of this established technique is introduced by means of a case study in ambulatory care. The case study is also used to illustrate a unique participative approach intended to facilitate discussion of the user's requirements. This more active approach to modelling is discussed in relation to the softer perspective of problem setting rather than the traditional one of problem solving.