Understanding the role of technology in health information systems

My second review is of this article Understanding the role of technology in health information systems  written by Lewis, D., Hodge, N., Gamage, D & Whittaker, M.

  

The link to this article is here

This paper is a detailed study of the use of information communications technology in healthcare and focuses mainly on developing regions such as Africa, India and the Pacific. This paper addresses financial concerns and whether investment in the regions will be successful in creating a workable healthcare model. Prompted by the availability of Internet connectivity the ICT can now be introduced to the Pacific region and will be key to providing better health care management for those in isolated areas.

 A map of this region downloaded from 

 taiwandocuments.org

The authors’ concerns however, are about language differences, successful implementation of ICT and whether training will be adequate to gain the best results with the new technologies which would be provided. The study looks at the various countries in the Pacific region and considers whether the diverse systems in place can be unified by an overarching new more sophisticated system.

Consideration is given to the per capita income of the local people, training available and the level of telecommunications available; all relevant factors to the success or failure of a new service. Privacy and ethical concerns are also raised because the security of information is vital in healthcare (Houghton & Berryman, 2007). The paper also analyizes the components of the extended health information system and what benefits it will have on the lives of those in the Pacific region. The authors also point out the risk of failure and cite other developing world experience when projects such as this have failed due to lack of resources, poor management and insufficient training by clinicians. The complexity of this type of system means planning its implementation is crucial and the study is just a beginning to examine if  ICT in healthcare in this region is feasible.

 This article is a detailed study of the pros and cons involved in implementing the restructure in healthcare across the Pacific region. The authors examine all the relevant facts and cite past studies which support their claims. Although no decision has been made whether the ICT project will go ahead the study looks at many factors which will bring about success or failure in such an enormous undertaking. While the project is worthwhile and will impact favourably a period of disruption is inevitable and this is acknowledged in the study.  Social factors of the region such as language, poverty and education are considered along with the political, geographical and the infrastructure. I think this study is a well organised research paper undertaken in a timely manner to avoid undertaking a system upgrade which could fail. To consider the points for and against the project from the onset is sound business practise and the authors have researched very thoroughly so the project is carefully planned from the onset: I was impressed with their research.

 While studies such as Carr’s article IT Doesn’t Matter suggests it would be better to leave these IT developments until they are cheaper and proven cheaper and proven the fact remains that people of the Pacific region are disadvantaged and not treated equally if the technology isn’t available for them (Carr, 2003). To wait while technology becomes more affordable will not assist people in this region if the necessary infrastructure isn’t set up. Many argue too, that the use of the internet is a fundamental human right. In refuting Carr’s claim, Bannister, F. & Remenyi, D. argue that adopting new technologies in a timely manner allows progress and those who lag behind won’t be able to close the gap (Bannister & Remenyi 2005).

The report by Lewis, D., Hodge, N., Gamage, D & Whittaker, M. considers all the relevant facts to improve the lives of those living in the Pacific islands by creating huge improvements in the health service provided. Their study presents a clear picture of the risks and problems such a project can encounter, which is sensible, and shows that these can be addressed. They also consider how the project can be developed in stages thus making its introduction more manageable.  I believe such a detailed study of all the factors involved in setting up the new health initiative enables the necessary funding and planning to be put in place givingthe project greater chance of success.

References  

             Bannister, F. & Remenyi, D. (2005). Why IT continues to matter: reflections on the strategic value of IT. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems Evaluation, 8(3), 159-167. Available at: http://www.ejise.com/issue/download.html?idArticle=562

            Carr, N. (2003) “IT Doesn’t Matter”, Harvard Business Review, May, pp 41-49.

Houghton, J. and Berryman, J. (2007). Ethics and law for information practice. In Libraries in the twenty-first century. S. Ferguson (Ed.). Centre for Information Studies, CSU: Wagga Wagga. Retrieved fromhttp://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/ereserve/pdf/houghton-j.pdf

Lewis, D., Hodge, N., Gamage, D & Whittaker, M. (2011) Understanding the role of technology in health information systems. Available from the University of Queensland Health Information Systems Knowledge Hub at http://www.uq.edu.au/hishub/wp17