Developing multiple evaluation frameworks in an older adults care information system project: A case study from Taiwan

Abstract

Many hospital managers agree that they can copy their successful experience in the medical center through implementing the information system (IS) successfully in the older adults care institution. However, these facilities are not the same care model as general hospitals. In addition, the scales of operation in older adults care institution are often rather small and they can not undertake IS project with a high failure risk. Thus, the same standards for evaluating a successful implementation cannot be guaranteed for both types of institutions. A suitable system evaluation framework before the whole system migrates is very important, especially in the older adults care institution with low informatization levels. The goal of this study is emphasized by developing an innovative system project and its’ multiple evaluation framework in our case which turned to be a research-action, study participant comprising whole staffs and its residents of the older adults care village of biggest health care group in Taiwan. The results describe our resulting functional design of the system, multiple evaluation framework phases, and several challenges, difficulties or attentions. The contribution of this study is our project design and practical feasibility and execution of its evaluation methodology to an older adults care institution. Key Practitioners Message Introducing an information system for older adults care institution in a holistic care concept helps practitioners to improve the work effectiveness of health care teams. Perceptions regarding the comprehensible and practical evaluation method of the information system for the older adults’ institution might be important topics for health care professionals. Both personal satisfaction and organization benefit of the caregivers and residents might affect the successful implementation