A Model for Context-Sensitive Digital Integrators

The realization of benefits from health information technology (HIT) implementation takes place in the long tail of implementation that must integrate technology, work practices and contextual factors. While formal health informatics education programs exist, they tend to be focused at the strategic management or specialized implementation level. HIT support at the local level often falls to clinical care staff that have little or no formal training in HIT implementation. This paper will expand on the term context-sensitive digital integrators (CSDI) as a role that could support local implementation. We discuss the CSDI role, including terminology, competencies and the role context sensitivity plays in implementation, and how CSDIs could be better supported and trained in different contexts.