Abstract

Fragmented and non-interoperable information systems (ISs) generate poor quality information and adversely affect the provision of healthcare services and the management of the Slovenian healthcare system. Advanced implementation of the eHealth project, encompassing the construction of a national health information system (HIS), could play a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges, which significantly compromise further development of the Slovenian healthcare system. This paper initially presents a review of the recent developments concerning HIS and identifies its main operative deficiencies. Subsequently, the paper outlines the construction of a 3LGM2-based conceptual HIS model and provides generally applicable recommendations and guidelines for effective implementation of HISs. This research employs a single explanatory/exploratory case study design, while the validation of the hypothesized constructs was undertaken through structured interviews with 15 prominent experts from the Slovenian healthcare system. The findings provide valuable insight into the operative, construction, and implementation aspects of HIS, which can, subject to proficient coordination with other ecosystem factors and pending structural reforms, ensure better utilization of public healthcare resources and provide tangible public health benefits.

Highlights

  • The Slovenian healthcare system has been facing serious structural problems in recent years

  • Based on the Strategy for the Informatization of the Slovenian Healthcare System 2005-2010 and the Resolution on the National Healthcare Plan for the Period 2008-2013 [3, 4], all activities in the field are aimed at realizing the eHealth project

  • A summary of its development goals is presented below: 1. The establishment of a basic IT infrastructure, includ‐ ing: a network used for communication and data exchange, Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) and standardized definitions of health and social data required for the development and management of electronic health records (EHR), personal health records (PHR), ePrescriptions, as well as improvement of the healthcare Smart Card functionalities (the Smart Card allows access to medical data containing infor‐ mation on: the cardholder, the person liable for the health insurance contribution, compulsory health insurance, voluntary health insurance, one’s chosen personal physician and general practitioner (GP), issued medication, issued prosthetic equipment, potential organ and tissue donation for transplanta‐ tion, etc

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Summary

Introduction

The Slovenian healthcare system has been facing serious structural problems in recent years. One of the essential instruments that would allow the challenges facing the Slovenian healthcare system to be effectively tackled is comprehensive informatization [3,4,5], represent‐ ing one of the key long-term goals of the public sector. HIS plays an important role in ensuring that reliable and timely health information is available for operational and strategic decision-making, providing better healthcare services and enhancing public health [18, 19]. Regardless of their definition and research perspective, virtually all authors emphasize that the main goal of HIS should be to contribute to highquality, efficient patient care and the effective performance of the healthcare system [20-23, etc.]

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