Abstract
End user participation in healthcare IT system development is essential in order to develop systems that fit togeth-
er with healthcare professionals’ work tasks and needs. National questionnaire studies were conducted to explore
how nurses and physicians participate in system development and what kind of experiences they have on partici-
pation. The questionnaire to nurses was conducted in spring 2017. Similarly, the questionnaire to physicians was
conducted in spring 2017 but also earlier in 2010 and in 2014. The number of respondents was 4018 for physicians
and 3607 for nurses.
Participation rates in the system development were following: 46% of the nurses and 49% of the physicians had
participated in the system development. 21% of the nurses were willing to participate in the development groups
and 20% were not willing to participate at all. The physicians’ rates were 18% and 16% in 2014, respectively. De-
pending on the used software, 43 - 93 % of the respondents felt that software vendors were not interested in the
views and opinions of the end users, nor did the proposed improvements take place in the desired manner or
quick enough. Compared to years 2010 and 2014, physicians’ opinions had not changed more positive.
The study results indicate that a large number of the end users would be willing to participate in healthcare IT
system development. However, suitable methods and appropriate practices on how to involve end users in devel-
opment work seem to be lacking. The results indicate that end users feel not to be able to influence to the devel-
opment in the way they wish. The participation should take place as a part of the daily work. Healthcare organisa-
tions need to recognise the importance of participating in development work and, for example, enable career
paths for IT physicians and nurses. It is important that the clinical work of physicians and nurses who develop in-
formation systems, will continue alongside the development to keep the practical “touch” to work in which sys-
tems are being used.
er with healthcare professionals’ work tasks and needs. National questionnaire studies were conducted to explore
how nurses and physicians participate in system development and what kind of experiences they have on partici-
pation. The questionnaire to nurses was conducted in spring 2017. Similarly, the questionnaire to physicians was
conducted in spring 2017 but also earlier in 2010 and in 2014. The number of respondents was 4018 for physicians
and 3607 for nurses.
Participation rates in the system development were following: 46% of the nurses and 49% of the physicians had
participated in the system development. 21% of the nurses were willing to participate in the development groups
and 20% were not willing to participate at all. The physicians’ rates were 18% and 16% in 2014, respectively. De-
pending on the used software, 43 - 93 % of the respondents felt that software vendors were not interested in the
views and opinions of the end users, nor did the proposed improvements take place in the desired manner or
quick enough. Compared to years 2010 and 2014, physicians’ opinions had not changed more positive.
The study results indicate that a large number of the end users would be willing to participate in healthcare IT
system development. However, suitable methods and appropriate practices on how to involve end users in devel-
opment work seem to be lacking. The results indicate that end users feel not to be able to influence to the devel-
opment in the way they wish. The participation should take place as a part of the daily work. Healthcare organisa-
tions need to recognise the importance of participating in development work and, for example, enable career
paths for IT physicians and nurses. It is important that the clinical work of physicians and nurses who develop in-
formation systems, will continue alongside the development to keep the practical “touch” to work in which sys-
tems are being used.
Original language | Finnish |
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Pages (from-to) | 236-250 |
Journal | Finnish Journal of eHealth and eWelfare |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 2-3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2018 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |