State of the practice of health information systems: a survey study amongst health care professionals in intellectual disability care

Joep Tummers,Hilde Tobi,Geraline Leusink,Bianca Schalk,Bedir Tekinerdogan

doi:10.1186/s12913-021-07256-9

Abstract

BackgroundCare for people with an Intellectual Disability (ID) is complex: multiple health care professionals are involved and use different Health Information Systems (HISs) to store medical and daily care information on the same individuals. The objective of this study is to identify the HISs needs of professionals in ID care by addressing the obstacles and challenges they meet in their current HISs.MethodsWe distributed an online questionnaire amongst Dutch ID care professionals via different professional associations and care providers. 328 respondents answered questions on their HISs. An inventory was made of HIS usage purposes, problems, satisfaction and desired features, with and without stratification on type of HIS and care professional.ResultsTypical in ID care, two types of HISs are being used that differ with respect to their features and users: Electronic Client Dossiers (ECDs) and Electronic Patient Dossiers (EPDs). In total, the respondents mentioned 52 unique HISs. Groups of care professionals differed in their satisfaction with ECDs only. Both HIS types present users with difficulties related to the specifics of care for people with an ID. Particularly the much needed communication between the many unique HISs was reported a major issue which implies major issues with inter-operability. Other problems seem design-related as well.ConclusionThis study can be used to improve current HISs and design new HISs that take ID care professionals requirements into account.

Highlights

Care for people with an Intellectual Disability (ID) is complex: multiple health care professionals are involved and use different Health Information Systems (HISs) to store medical and daily care information on the same individuals
Questionnaire construction As preparation of questionnaire design and to assure thorough familiarity with this diverse care field, we interviewed from our personal and professional networks fourteen health care professionals who differed in terms of their profession but who all worked in ID care
From the interviews and sitevisits we learned that two types of HISs were distinguished in practice which differed with respect to users and aim: Electronic Client Dossiers (ECDs) and Electronic Patient Dossiers (EPDs)

Summary

Introduction

Care for people with an Intellectual Disability (ID) is complex: multiple health care professionals are involved and use different Health Information Systems (HISs) to store medical and daily care information on the same individuals. Care for people with an ID is complex and involves many professional caregivers. All caregivers use some type of health information system (HIS) to register their activities and to ensure reimbursement of care provided. This is not without consequence: according to Hanekamp et al [3], care professionals in long term care in the Netherlands spend 35% of their time on administrative tasks, mainly in their respective HISs

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