Start Date
10-12-2017 12:00 AM
Description
Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) systems are regarded as a key solution to the many challenges faced by the healthcare sector. However, studies show that the outcome of their use is mixed. Underpinned by critical realism, this study seeks to identify the generative mechanisms of digitalization in the healthcare sector in order to help explain the differences in the outcomes of digitalization. This study seeks to answer the following research question: Why do different forms of digitalization emerge in healthcare settings and under what conditions? Archer’s Realist Social Theory is used to answer this question. The study was conducted in three geriatric wards where the same EHR system was implemented. The initial data analysis generated a candidate generative mechanism, i.e. standardization mechanism. One of the contributions of this study is new knowledge about the generative mechanisms of digitalization, which help to explain how digitalization emerges over time.
Recommended Citation
Mihailescu, Marius; Mihailescu, Daniela; and Carlsson, Sven, "Understanding Healthcare Digitalization: A Critical Realist Approach" (2017). ICIS 2017 Proceedings. 7.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2017/IT-and-Healthcare/Presentations/7
Understanding Healthcare Digitalization: A Critical Realist Approach
Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) systems are regarded as a key solution to the many challenges faced by the healthcare sector. However, studies show that the outcome of their use is mixed. Underpinned by critical realism, this study seeks to identify the generative mechanisms of digitalization in the healthcare sector in order to help explain the differences in the outcomes of digitalization. This study seeks to answer the following research question: Why do different forms of digitalization emerge in healthcare settings and under what conditions? Archer’s Realist Social Theory is used to answer this question. The study was conducted in three geriatric wards where the same EHR system was implemented. The initial data analysis generated a candidate generative mechanism, i.e. standardization mechanism. One of the contributions of this study is new knowledge about the generative mechanisms of digitalization, which help to explain how digitalization emerges over time.