Taking data seriously: the value of actor-network theory in rethinking patient experience data

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Sociology of Science and Technology

Background:

• Hospitals collect vast amounts of patient experience data.
• The primary goal is often stated as improving patient care quality.
• Little attention is paid to the inherent nature and capabilities of the data itself.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the agency of patient experience data within hospital settings.
• To understand how data influences (or fails to influence) quality improvement initiatives.
• To apply actor-network theory to the analysis of healthcare data.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing insights from actor-network theory.
• Analyzing patient experience data within specific hospital interactions.
• Tracing the pathways through which data impacts quality improvement.

Main Results:

• Patient experience data possesses agency in hospital interactions.
• The effectiveness of data in driving quality improvement is contingent on specific circumstances.
• Actor-network theory provides a framework for understanding data's role.

Conclusions:

• Viewing data as an active agent offers a novel perspective on quality improvement.
• Understanding data's agency is crucial for maximizing its potential in healthcare.
• Further research can explore the practical implications of this theoretical approach.