A mixed methods approach for measuring the impact of delivery-centric interventions on clinician workflow

Health interventions vary widely. Pharmaceuticals, medical devices and wellness promotion are defined as 'outcome-centric.' They are implemented by clinicians for the use and benefit of consumers, and intervention effectiveness is measured by a change in health outcome. Electronic health records, computerized physician order entry systems and telehealth technologies are defined as 'delivery-centric.' They are implemented by organizations for use by clinicians to manage and facilitate consumer health, and the impact of these interventions on clinician workflow has become increasingly important. The methodological framework introduced in this paper uses a two-phase sequential mixed methods design that qualitatively explores clinician workflow before and after implementation of a delivery-centric intervention, and uses this information to quantitatively measure changes to workflow activities. The mixed methods protocol provides a standardized approach for understanding and determining the impact of delivery-centric interventions on clinician workflow.