PURPOSE: The aim of the paper is the study of Information Systems such mechanisms able to manage the existing and widespread knowledge in health care organizations; the information system in fact is a platform based on web applications, which supports the processes of communication and knowledge sharing. Specifically, the paper focuses on Electronical Medical Record, as a knowledge instrument potentially adaptable for managing the integration and operational information among health operators, through the coordination of the existing functional interdependencies. The theoretical analysis is based on different contributions on the analysis of the interdependencies and the relationship between organization and technology (Child 1972, 1972b; Perrow 1986, Giddens 1984; Orlikowski, 1991; Orlikowski & Gash, 1994). The empirical analysis, carried out at designated and selected health organizations in the Calabria Region, wants to map the different types of interdependence existing in the medical wards of testing and, therefore, verify the potentiality of coordination present in the specific use of Electronical Medical Records. DESIGN: The research question is to understand if and how the use of medical records (paper and\or electronic) can manage and/or explain the different types of interdependence present in health care organizations. So, through the analysis of the organizational literature on specific topics, we will define diagnostic tools and research to apply on the case study represented by a specific health organization, with regarding its identified departments. METHODOLOGY: The paper develops a blended methodology characterized by the analysis of literature and by empirical analysis. The first theoretical part is to analyze in a descriptive way: the main documents on health context (acts, regulations, documents, ...); the main literature on information systems, knowledge and organizational interdependence. Based on these characteristics, the empirical analysis is developed on a primary regional health organizations, through the use of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to the working group responsible for "medical record project", in order to gain information and considerations coherent with the research question. APPROACH \ ORIGINALITY \VALUE The approach used in order to deal the main topic of the paper is a descriptive and deductive way, starting with an analysis of organizational interdependencies and checking them in the practice with the use of EMR in selected hospital wards. The originality lies in the ability to verify the conditions of effective integration of knowledge necessary to manage health issues, through the use of the EMR, as an integrative mechanism for information. Possible value added is the description and encoding of knowledge actually available and interchangeable within health departments, subject to testing with the EMR, in order to identify ways and opportunities for improvement as possible, both in the information instrument as well as independently by it. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The practical implications of the research contributions can be found in the descriptive and qualitative analysis obtained by the process of implementation of the EMR within the structures investigated. So, it can verify the processes of knowledge integration in EMR, with input and guidance of the professionals interviewed; this can lead to highlight possible areas for improvement in the construction and operational management of the EMR, or additional modes of organizational coordination.
mANAGENING THE KNOWLEDGE INTERDIPENDENCE WITH THE E.M.R.: AN EMPIRICAL APPRACH
CRISTOFARO C;
2012-01-01
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of the paper is the study of Information Systems such mechanisms able to manage the existing and widespread knowledge in health care organizations; the information system in fact is a platform based on web applications, which supports the processes of communication and knowledge sharing. Specifically, the paper focuses on Electronical Medical Record, as a knowledge instrument potentially adaptable for managing the integration and operational information among health operators, through the coordination of the existing functional interdependencies. The theoretical analysis is based on different contributions on the analysis of the interdependencies and the relationship between organization and technology (Child 1972, 1972b; Perrow 1986, Giddens 1984; Orlikowski, 1991; Orlikowski & Gash, 1994). The empirical analysis, carried out at designated and selected health organizations in the Calabria Region, wants to map the different types of interdependence existing in the medical wards of testing and, therefore, verify the potentiality of coordination present in the specific use of Electronical Medical Records. DESIGN: The research question is to understand if and how the use of medical records (paper and\or electronic) can manage and/or explain the different types of interdependence present in health care organizations. So, through the analysis of the organizational literature on specific topics, we will define diagnostic tools and research to apply on the case study represented by a specific health organization, with regarding its identified departments. METHODOLOGY: The paper develops a blended methodology characterized by the analysis of literature and by empirical analysis. The first theoretical part is to analyze in a descriptive way: the main documents on health context (acts, regulations, documents, ...); the main literature on information systems, knowledge and organizational interdependence. Based on these characteristics, the empirical analysis is developed on a primary regional health organizations, through the use of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to the working group responsible for "medical record project", in order to gain information and considerations coherent with the research question. APPROACH \ ORIGINALITY \VALUE The approach used in order to deal the main topic of the paper is a descriptive and deductive way, starting with an analysis of organizational interdependencies and checking them in the practice with the use of EMR in selected hospital wards. The originality lies in the ability to verify the conditions of effective integration of knowledge necessary to manage health issues, through the use of the EMR, as an integrative mechanism for information. Possible value added is the description and encoding of knowledge actually available and interchangeable within health departments, subject to testing with the EMR, in order to identify ways and opportunities for improvement as possible, both in the information instrument as well as independently by it. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The practical implications of the research contributions can be found in the descriptive and qualitative analysis obtained by the process of implementation of the EMR within the structures investigated. So, it can verify the processes of knowledge integration in EMR, with input and guidance of the professionals interviewed; this can lead to highlight possible areas for improvement in the construction and operational management of the EMR, or additional modes of organizational coordination.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
