Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Health Informatics: Why? How?

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Information Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Health informatics implementation requires robust theoretical underpinnings for effectiveness.
• Current practices often lack evidence-based guidance on theoretical application.
• A gap exists in translating empirical knowledge into actionable theories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of theoretical foundations in health informatics.
• To discuss findings from a workshop on theory development in health informatics.
• To propose a framework for creating testable middle-range theories from empirical data.

Main Methods:

• Jointly organized workshop by EFMI Working Group on Assessment of Health Information Systems and IMIA Working Group on Technology Assessment and Quality Development.
• Discussion and synthesis of workshop findings on theoretical foundations.
• Development of an approach to consolidate empirical knowledge.

Main Results:

• Health informatics benefits from a scientific approach grounded in theory.
• Evidence-based implementation is enhanced by theoretical guidance.
• A method for developing middle-range theories from empirical data was proposed.

Conclusions:

• Theoretical foundations are crucial for scientific health informatics.
• Consolidating empirical knowledge into testable theories can improve health informatics practice.
• Further development of middle-range theories is recommended for the field.