Review Series 2 of 3

Article: Understanding the role oftechnology in health information systems

Authors: Don Lewis, Nicola Hodge, Duminda Gamage, &Maxine Whittaker

This article is concerned with the uptake of information communication technology in health care, specifically in the Pacific region. The article seeks to address the number of failed ICT projects in the health sector with by focusing on four main areas, however due to space constraints this review will primarily focus on the two factors that have wider relevance to ICT developments in industries other than health. Understanding the market you are designing an ICT solution for, in this case small pacific nations; and the critical factors in success or failure of ICT implementation. This review will also attempt to detail shortcomings in the article as well as providing suggested improvements for further studies on the topic.

One if the issues highlighted in the article is the need to have a strong understanding of the market you are trying to introduce ICT’s into. The context of the Pacific island countries and territories is one of dispersed and small populations, with the exception of Papua New Guinea, small remote island nations and territories, separated by vast ocean distances. While these factors would indicate that ICT’s have the potential to be instrumental to social and economic development, they also represent great challenges in its implementation and upkeep. Additionally the vast variation in population between Papua New Guinea on 6,000,000 and Tokelau at below 2000, indicates vastly different needs in terms of the complexity and sophistication of ideal ICT solution for their health care system (Lewis et al 2011 p5). The article also looks at some of the common factors that can influence the success or failure of a health ICT project, including but not limited to lack of senior management support; lack of engagement of clinicians and other end users; inadequate specification of requirements, and insufficient time and resources allocated to organisational and process change. It also looks at issues that are specific to projects in the developing world, “Poorly planned interventionist behaviour that ignores user needs, fails to understand host capacities, demands action, neglects cultural constraints and ignores the local knowledge base will only result in failure for health technologies” (Rodrigues et al qtd in Lewis et al 2011 p.13).

I felt the issues raised in the article were well considered and addressed thoroughly. Having been through several changes of information management systems, in a range of organisations, my only recommendation for further research would be that this kind of consultation process was part of the implementation of ICT projects in industries other than health care.

This article represents a clear evaluation of the issues involved in the implementation of ICT health –care solutions specific to the Pacific island countries and territories. It considers carefully the potential causes for failure of the project, and offers clear paths for success. Technology has an undeniable place in the future of medical care.

Article Reference

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