Actor-Network Theory and its role in understanding the implementation of information technology developments in healthcare

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Actor-Network Theory (ANT) is an increasingly influential, but still deeply contested, approach to understand humans and their interactions with inanimate objects. We argue that health services research, and in particular evaluations of complex IT systems in health service organisations, may benefit from being informed by Actor-Network Theory perspectives.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Despite some limitations, an Actor-Network Theory-based approach is conceptually useful in helping to appreciate the complexity of reality (including the complexity of organisations) and the active role of technology in this context. This can prove helpful in understanding how social effects are generated as a result of associations between different actors in a network. Of central importance in this respect is that Actor-Network Theory provides a lens through which to view the role of technology in shaping social processes. Attention to this shaping role can contribute to a more holistic appreciation of the complexity of technology introduction in healthcare settings. It can also prove practically useful in providing a theoretically informed approach to sampling (by drawing on informants that are related to the technology in question) and analysis (by providing a conceptual tool and vocabulary that can form the basis for interpretations). We draw on existing empirical work in this area and our ongoing work investigating the integration of electronic health record systems introduced as part of England's National Programme for Information Technology to illustrate salient points.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Actor-Network Theory needs to be used pragmatically with an appreciation of its shortcomings. Our experiences suggest it can be helpful in investigating technology implementations in healthcare settings.</p

New structured knowledge network for strategic decision-making in IT innovative and implementable projects

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Ali Alkhuraji, Sahofeng Liu, Festus Oluseyi Oderanti, and Phil Megicks, 'New structured knowledge network for strategic decision-making in IT innovative and implementable projects', Journal of Business Research, Vol. 69 (5): 1534-1538, first published online 28 October 2015. The final published version is available online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.10.012. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This study investigates the development of a structured knowledge network model in information technology (IT) innovative and implementable projects to facilitate knowledge sharing and transfer in a multi-organization context. The study employs a practice-based perspective by using an exploratory case study approach and a combination of thematic analysis and comparative analysis to analyze the data across public organizations, private organizations, and international companies. The results identify organizational factors and their influence on knowledge channels and knowledge networks. The study contributes to organizational, administrative and knowledge management theories regarding organizational strategy, organizational culture, organizational capacity, knowledge network externalities, knowledge network intermediaries, and knowledge network infrastructures.Peer reviewe

"There are too many, but never enough": qualitative case study investigating routine coding of clinical information in depression.

We sought to understand how clinical information relating to the management of depression is routinely coded in different clinical settings and the perspectives of and implications for different stakeholders with a view to understanding how these may be aligned

Information and Communication Technology Applications and use in Medical Records and Information Management in Selected Hospitals in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State.

This study investigated the information and communication technology application and use in medical records and information management in selected hospitals in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State. The Objectives of the study found out the level of application and compliance of ICT and also investigated the challenges facing the application. The survey research design was adopted while total enumeration sampling technique was used in the selection of samples. Questionnaire was used to gather data for this study while mean and standard deviation frequency counts and percentages was used in data analysis. Findings shows that the information and communication tools applicable in the selected hospitals are computers (100%), softwares such as Microsoft word, excel etc (100%), surgical ICT tools (100%), internet (90%), management software (90%), infection detecting technologies (90%), Health Information system programme (HISP) (90%), ultrasound imaging device (80%), telemedicine (76%), national health care management information system (NHC/MIS) (75%) and scanner (60%). The challenges facing the use of ICT tools in medical records and information management in the hospitals are inadequate training, insufficient knowledge on use of IT tools, failure of equipment/old IT tools, security/privacy issues, inadequate ICT facilities, lack of physical access to the tools and affordability. The research therefore recommended among others that there should be more training, awareness, exposure or workshops for staff in the hospital on the application and use of ICT tools which are seldom or never used in the hospitals to improve the health care services rendered in the hospitals

Juggling Confidentiality and Safety: a qualitative study of how general practice clinicians document domestic violence in families with children

Background Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and child safeguarding are interlinked problems, impacting on all family members. Documenting in electronic patient records (EPRs) is an important part of managing these families. Current evidence and guidance, however, treats DVA and child safeguarding separately. This does not reflect the complexity clinicians face when documenting both issues in one family. Aim To explore how and why general practice clinicians document DVA in families with children. Design and setting A qualitative interview study using vignettes with GPs and practice nurses (PNs) in England. Method Semi-structured telephone interviews with 54 clinicians (42 GPs and 12 PNs) were conducted across six sites in England. Data were analysed thematically using a coding frame incorporating concepts from the literature and emerging themes. Results Most clinicians recognised DVA and its impact on child safeguarding, but struggled to work out the best way to document it. They described tensions among the different roles of the EPR: a legal document; providing continuity of care; information sharing to improve safety; and a patient-owned record. This led to strategies to hide information, so that it was only available to other clinicians. Conclusion Managing DVA in families with children is complex and challenging for general practice clinicians. National integrated guidance is urgently needed regarding how clinicians should manage the competing roles of the EPR, while maintaining safety of the whole family, especially in the context of online EPRs and patient access

Analysis of Barriers to Digital Linking among Healthcare Stakeholders

Digitization affects all areas of public and work life - people connect with friends, family, colleagues, and businesses and exchange data with each other every day via apps and platforms. However, digitization in the healthcare sector is lagging far behind. Instead of exchanging data digitally and striving for efficient digital linking, the healthcare sector often uses the telephone or fax as a means of data exchange. By conducting a case study on the German healthcare sector, this paper identifies six categories of barriers that inhibit digital linking in healthcare: individual, legal, financial, institutional, technological, and workforce-related barriers. They are analyzed using the dimensions of level, IT influence, and perception and applying the actor-network theory

Barriers In Digital Workplaces During Covid-19 Lockdowns: A Phenomenological Longitudinal Study Using Actor-Network Theory

We present a one-year longitudinal phenomenological study that explores how individuals perceived and overcame barriers to remote work during Covid-19 lockdowns. Our study builds upon a previous systematic literature review and utilizes actor-network theory (ANT) to analyze data collected from a survey and two rounds of interviews spaced one year apart. Through this approach, we gain insights into the networks of human and non- human actors that emerged and the challenges faced by remote employees. We compiled a comprehensive list of barriers to anticipate in these circumstances and identified those unique to extreme situations. These findings have implications for companies seeking to establish digital workplaces resilient to future crises

A Framework to Investigate the Use of MYeHalal Online System

MYeHalal system is a system developed to facilitate the application of halal certification in Malaysia. However, the competency of the system has become questionable as some of the applicants choose to hire consultants rather than applying for the certificate themselves. Thus, this situation has led applicants to spend unnecessary charges and wasting their own time instead of committing to apply the certification on their own. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to propose a framework to investigate the use of MYeHalal system using actor-network theory (ANT). ANT is used as a lens to identify the important factors that have influenced (facilitate or restrict) the usage of the system, also understand the ways, in which the technical actors and social actors interact with each other as they struggle to facilitate or restrict the halal certification application process via the use of the MYeHalal system. Further, a more user-friendly, efficient and better performing MYeHalal system could be developed to improve the users experience when they are applying for their halal certificate

RFID/INTERNET OF THINGS SYSTEMS ON THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS: AN ANT STUDY OF MULTIPLICITY

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems are becoming increasingly common in applications that are shared between the public and private sectors. These systems facilitate supply chain, traceability and sensor functions, not to mention the application of RFID technology in enabling the Internet of Things. Despite their increasing ubiquity, the management of public-private RFID systems is under-researched and little understood. This research addresses a gap in literature by using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to uncover the public-private RFID network. It was found that the public-private sector relationship is initially characterised by stereotypical views which diminish as sectors work together. Further, the public sector in this context was seen to be a multiplicity with four different performances, public sector as a member of the public-private partnership; as legislator; as enforcer and as funding provider. This multiplicity is shown to lead to confusion within public-private partnerships as members of the partnership are not always clear about which performance of the public sector they are enacting, or interacting with. ANT provided a sound basis to explore such a complex networked system, its inclusion of technology within the construction of the social offers a way of understanding complexity within internet of things based applications