Volume 81, Issue 2 , Pages 73-87, February 2012
Healthcare professionals’ adoption and use of a clinical information system (CIS) in primary care: Insights from the Da Vinci study
► Longitudinal analysis of CIS adoption in two Quebec Family Medicine Groups. ► Seven distinct user profiles were drawn from the dynamics of CIS implementation. ► Users’ perceived barriers and drivers corresponded with their profile assignment. ► This study provides insight into the tailoring of CIS implementation strategies.
Abstract
Given the increasing prevalence of multimorbidity in primary care (PC), interdisciplinary PC teams supported by appropriate clinical information systems (CIS) are needed in order to deal with the complexity of multimorbid patients’ care. Our team has developed such a system, called the Da Vinci system. However, despite the expected benefits, evidence suggests generally low rates of CIS adoption. To optimize adoption in PC settings, a better understanding of the implementation process of such systems is crucial.
Purpose
To identify user profiles, investigate the drivers of and barriers to adoption and use of the Da Vinci system, a PC tailored CIS, and understand the dynamics of the CIS adoption for each profile.
Methods
Using a longitudinal approach, we conducted a qualitative study (individual interviews, documentation and observation) based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory. It included 31 participants (primary care physicians, staff or residents, nurses, pharmacists) from two Family Medicine Groups in Quebec (Canada).
Results
The different user profiles drawn from the dynamics of implementation are linked to different sets of perceived drivers and barriers that evolve over time. Certain factors favour the decision of adopting Da Vinci early on: e.g. user skills and the system's expected ease of use and usefulness. Certain concerns hinder its adoption: e.g. perceived negative impact on the doctor–patient relationship.
Over time, 5 factors appear to be related to more advanced exploitation of the system's functionalities: user skills, ease of use, comfort using the system in front of patients, support from colleagues and, more importantly, perceived positive impacts.
Conclusions
A better understanding of the dynamics of CIS implementation provides insight into how best to encourage clinicians to adopt and make full use of such systems to improve the quality of care for multimorbid patients followed in PC settings.
Keywords: Patient, Physician, Communication, Information systems, Computers, Diffusion of innovation, Health information technology, Chronic disease, Primary health care
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PII: S1386-5056(11)00235-8
doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2011.11.002
© 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Volume 81, Issue 2 , Pages 73-87, February 2012
