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Medical work and the computer-based patient record: a sociological perspective
1Department of Health Ethics and Philosophy, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. marc.berg@gw.unimaas.nl
Methods of Information in Medicine
|October 27, 1998
Summary
Computer-based patient records (CPRs) face implementation challenges due to flawed models of medical work. A sociological perspective can guide the development of CPR systems better suited to healthcare professionals' needs.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Medicine
- Health Informatics
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Computer-based patient records (CPRs) are poised to significantly influence medical practice.
- Despite their potential, fully integrated CPR systems are rarely found in clinical settings.
- Current CPR implementations often struggle due to underlying assumptions about medical work.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sociologically examine the construction and introduction of CPRs.
- To identify how models of medical work inscribed in CPRs contribute to implementation difficulties.
- To propose a sociological perspective for developing more effective CPR systems.
Main Methods:
- The study employs a sociological analysis of CPR implementation.
- It includes participatory observation within clinical settings.
- The research examines the role of the medical record in actual medical work.
Main Results:
- Many CPRs are built on inadequate models of medical work.
- A sociological viewpoint reveals the complexities of healthcare professionals' daily tasks.
- The medical record's function within this work is often misunderstood by system designers.
Conclusions:
- Addressing the sociological aspects of medical work is crucial for successful CPR implementation.
- Future CPR systems should be designed with a deeper understanding of healthcare workflows.
- Sociological insights can inform the development of CPRs that better support healthcare workers.