Paper Type
Short
Paper Number
PACIS2026-1093
Description
Advances in medical treatment have enabled people to live longer, yet many now manage multiple chronic conditions requiring coordinated care. Social care workers are central to this effort, bridging clinical care and patients’ everyday lives. However, most health information systems (HIS) remain clinically centred, offering limited support for social work practice. This research-in-progress paper reports on a multi-year design science project developing an integrated care coordination platform. We present preliminary findings from the proof-of-use stage, in which the platform was integrated into real care settings and its effects on care work were observed. Our findings show how the platform addressed unmet needs in social work practice, supporting integrated care provision, while surfacing three last-mile challenges in translating a digital solution into sustained changes in care practices and outcomes. These findings highlight the value of proof-of-use studies in understanding the practical complexities that shape whether HIS interventions generate real-world impact.
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Xinyue; Tim, Yenni; and Sutanto, Juliana, "From Design to Practice: Last-Mile Challenges in Integrated Health and Social Care Information Systems" (2026). PACIS 2026 Proceedings. 1.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2026/ishealthcare/ishealthcare/1
From Design to Practice: Last-Mile Challenges in Integrated Health and Social Care Information Systems
Advances in medical treatment have enabled people to live longer, yet many now manage multiple chronic conditions requiring coordinated care. Social care workers are central to this effort, bridging clinical care and patients’ everyday lives. However, most health information systems (HIS) remain clinically centred, offering limited support for social work practice. This research-in-progress paper reports on a multi-year design science project developing an integrated care coordination platform. We present preliminary findings from the proof-of-use stage, in which the platform was integrated into real care settings and its effects on care work were observed. Our findings show how the platform addressed unmet needs in social work practice, supporting integrated care provision, while surfacing three last-mile challenges in translating a digital solution into sustained changes in care practices and outcomes. These findings highlight the value of proof-of-use studies in understanding the practical complexities that shape whether HIS interventions generate real-world impact.
Comments
14-Healthcare