Developing a Health Information Technology Systems Matrix: A Qualitative Participatory Approach

Area of Science:

• Health Information Technology (HIT)
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aims to provide accessible, veteran-centered healthcare through Health Information Technology (HIT).
• A major reorganization of VA HIT is underway to create a fully integrated system meeting consumer needs.
• Existing VA HIT systems lack centralized, integrated documentation, hindering analysis, strategy, and planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop the VA HIT Systems Matrix, a novel tool for describing the current VA HIT landscape.
• To identify and document consumers' vision for an integrated future VA HIT system.

Main Methods:

• Employed participatory research methods, including an expert panel and veteran focus groups with surveys.
• Utilized directed content analysis to analyze focus group data on current systems and future visions.
• Incorporated stakeholder and veteran input to define system features, interface design, and user experience.

Main Results:

• Developed the VA HIT Systems Matrix with input from 47 veterans and an expert panel.
• The matrix inventories existing and emerging VA HIT (e.g., My HealtheVet, Telehealth) across four worksheets: access/function, benefits/barriers, system preferences, and tasks.
• Organized HIT platforms and features by row and thematic/functional domains by column, detailing relevant factors.

Conclusions:

• The HIT Systems Matrix documents the current VA HIT system and captures consumer visions for integrated redesign.
• Provides a consumer preference blueprint to guide current VA HIT system improvements and future development.
• Offers valuable data for VA administrators, developers, and other healthcare organizations managing consumer-facing HIT.