Understanding key factors affecting electronic medical record implementation: a sociotechnical approach

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Information Systems Research
• Organizational Studies

Background:

• Healthcare policies increasingly support Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption.
• Past ICT project failures in healthcare underscore the need for understanding implementation processes in complex organizations.
• This study focuses on the implementation of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system in a national hospital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the interplay of sociological and technological factors during EMR system implementation.
• To provide insights for managers planning future health informatics projects.
• To evaluate the utility of Actor Network Theory (ANT) as a research methodology in this context.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was employed.
• Data collection involved documentary analysis, interviews, and observations.
• Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted, drawing upon Actor Network Theory (ANT).

Main Results:

• A complex network of interactions between organizational stakeholders and technology influenced EMR system acceptance and adoption.
• The EMR system was identified as a central 'actor' within this network.
• Key success factors include involving diverse actors, fostering commitment through participation, establishing support roles, and assessing impacts to align efforts.

Conclusions:

• Successful EMR implementation necessitates consideration of organizational, cultural, technological, and financial aspects.
• Actor Network Theory (ANT) proves to be a valuable framework for evaluating such complex health informatics projects.