Information technologies within the cancer information service: factors related to innovation adoption

This collaborative study, conducted by members of the Cancer Information Service Research Consortium Team for Evaluation and Audit Methods and the Network Analysis Advisory Board, is part of a larger project that evaluates the impact of communication structure on innovation within the contractual network of the Cancer Information Service (CIS). This study examines four different technological innovations with respect to the characteristics of relative advantage, compatibility, observability, complexity, trialability, adaptability, riskiness, disadvantage, computer knowledge, and acceptance.

Data were gathered from self-report questionnaires completed in May 1995 by organizational members (n = 82) within the National Cancer Institute's CIS, a geographically dispersed federal government health information program.

Paired comparison t tests found that organizational members rate contrasting dimensions of an innovation differentially, depending on the nature of the specific technology. For example, significantly lower levels of riskiness were reported for computerization for communication (e.g., e-mail) than for computerization for telephone service or outreach. In addition, computerization for office management had significantly lower levels of riskiness than computerization for telephone service or outreach. With respect to complexity, computerization for communication had significantly lower ratings than did outreach. In terms of observability and trialability, computerization for communication had significantly lower ratings than for telephone service. With respect to relative advantage, computerization for office management had significantly lower ratings than all other areas of computerization. In terms of computer knowledge, ratings were significantly higher for communication than for all other areas of computerization. No significant differences were found between contrasting innovations for adaptability or acceptance.

Results suggest that organizational members rate contrasting dimensions of an innovation differentially, depending on the nature of the specific innovation. Managers can employ this information as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the fit of an innovation, anticipate problems arising as a result of innovation, and modify innovations to reflect the changes that stakeholders deem necessary. Computerization efforts such as this one are at the cutting edge of efforts to improve the dissemination of information to the public. These efforts can result in considerable improvements in public health.