Developing electronic cooperation tools: a case from norwegian health care.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Health Care Management
• Information Systems

Background:

• Slow progress in developing electronic cooperational tools in health care globally.
• Need for effective electronic tools to improve interorganizational communication in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of governmental financing policies on the development of electronic cooperational tools in public health care.
• To understand the challenges hindering the adoption of interconnected health information systems.

Main Methods:

• Interpretative approach utilizing 30 semistructured interviews with stakeholders.
• Extensive documentation review and participation in 18 workshops on health care ICT.
• Focus on the Norwegian health care sector.

Main Results:

• Interorganizational communication is hindered by the independent development of internal information infrastructures.
• Dependence on existing electronic patient record systems and vendors creates barriers to developing new cooperational tools.
• Challenged market mechanisms due to vendors' unwillingness to bear economic risks and customers' inability to purchase un developed functionalities.
• Inadequate public project financing often halts initiatives during initial stages.

Conclusions:

• Authorities should adopt a coordinating role and provide financial support for developing electronic health care cooperational tools.
• Regular market mechanisms are insufficient for driving the development of these complex tools.
• User involvement is crucial in deciding the direction of technological development in health care.