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This is a research project supported by the Norwegian Research Council through the VERDIKT program. The project involves researchers from the University of Oslo and the University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. This project will investigate processes where ICT is employed to establish and sustain networked collaborative work practices with an empirical focus on the health sector.
Achieving change and learning in complex socio-technical assemblages involve handling of complexity, for which flexibility is a key strategy. Thus our focus is on flexibility in processes of integration of technical systems, work practices, procedures, and institutions.
This study draws on a repertoire of theoretical and methodological resources from the intersection of CSCW, IS and STS. We conduct case studies employing participant observation, formal and informal interviews, and document analysis as the main data collection techniques. In some of the cases we participate actively, while in others we are passive observers.
The cases (se list below) illuminate different kinds of challenges to achieve flexible integration. They all exemplify an attempt to change a complex socio-technical assemblage, where the pre-existing and institutionalized collaborative arrangements pose significant challenges to changes. Building on the joint outcomes from these case studies, the project will aim to define guidelines for achieving more effective and efficient integration.
Ongoing case studies include:
- Pilot for core record in Trondheim municipality; a web-based, secure solution to allow access to updated medicine information for individual patients to health care personnel from various organisations (hospitals, nursing home, hoem services, general practitioner, pharmacy). (Gro Alice Hamre)
- Introduction of systems for vital signs monitoring for harvesting and digitization of informastion from anaesthesia and intensive care environments in hospitals. (The Metavision-project at Rikshospitalet and Ullevål University Hospital). (Espen Skorve)
- Use of telemedicine in rehabilitation to strengthen the collaboration between the specialist health services and the municipal level where day-to-day care is provided. (ongoing project at Sunnaas hospital to introduce videoconferencing as a routine option in collaboration with external actors). (Margunn Aanestad and Irene Olaussen).
- Technology support for ambulant teams in child- and youth psychiatry. A project initiated by Health Finnmark develops applications for mobile telephones and web which strengthens the communication between clients and health care providers. (Synnøve Thomassen Andersen).
- The work to establish an information infrastructure for the whole health care sector has been ongoing for several years and the Norwegian Health Network was established in 2003. We follow various initiatives aimed at increasing the usage of this network, both transmission of common messages (such as referrals, discharge letters, exam orders and replies etc.) as well as the introduction of new messages (to and from the municipal care sector). (Ole Hanseth, Margunn Aanestad)
- Patient-oriented interfaces to hospital's IT-systems (EPR systems) for information sharing and communication. (Miria Grisot)