Experiences of social and health care information system developers in co-operation with users

Authors

• Jenni Rytkönen University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland and Istekki Oy, Kuopio
• Ulla-Mari Kinnunen University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
• Susanna Martikainen University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.109908

Keywords:

information systems, health care, social care, user-centered design, software design

Abstract

The main task of social welfare and health care is to promote the wellbeing and health of citizens and to treat diseases as well as possible. This is achieved through correct timing and decisions, good care and proper diagnosis. Information systems intended for the management of patient and client information play an important role in the implementation of the above-mentioned main tasks and in enabling activities. Social and health care information systems should support professional work processes and workflows, and the role of end-users in the development of information systems appears differently due to the diversity of the sector than in many other areas. When defining the development needs of information systems, a large group of social and health care professionals should be included. Health care professionals are willing to participate in the development, but they feel that the experiences of end-users are not adequately considered. Problems and technological errors detected in client and patient information systems have also led to a risk to patient safety.

The purpose of this study was to find out the experiences and views of software developers developing social and health care information systems on user participation in the development. Factors related to participation were examined and identified through the selected dimensions of the sociotechnical model.

The study was carried out as a questionnaire, the results of which were analysed quantitatively. The data collection was done with an electronic questionnaire in Finnish and in English and forwarded to the information system suppliers in the Valvira’s (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health in Finland) information system register (updated 9/2019). A link to the questionnaire was also shared on social media. The research material consists of 87 responses.

According to the research findings, software developers developing social and health care information systems want to work actively with end-users and feel that they will benefit from user feedback. However, there is a lack of established methods and the necessary resources to enable cooperation. Developer and user organisations should therefore direct more resources to enable cooperation. The importance of information from users in development work and based on interaction between people and information technology is a prerequisite for the development of a successful social and health care information system.