 | | What happens to the collaboration between hospitals and the GPs offices when you start using electronic communication systems? This is the main research focus for Liv Karen Johannessen at Well Diadnostics and Tromsø Telemedicine Laboratory for the next four years. |
Many studies have explored what happens to collaboration in hospitals when electronic systems are introduced. But what about the collaboration between hospitals and GP practices? This is what PhD research fellow Liv Karen Johannessen in Well Diagnostics plans to investigate during the next four years.
New systems, unexpected consequences
In 2008, all interested GP practices in Tromsø and in the area around Akershus University Hospital will be linked electronically to the laboratories at the hospitals. GPs will then be able to use the Well Interactor system to order laboratory tests for patients, and they will receive the results electronically when analysis of the samples is complete.
With time, all family GPs in Tromsø, Oslo and Trondheim will have access to this service. The aim is make the workflow both faster and easier. But will the new way of ordering laboratory tests also have other unexpected effects?
"I aim to explore how a new system like Well Interactor affects collaboration between the various levels in the health sector. Will it make it possible to offer an improved service to both patients and doctors, or will the number of laboratory tests increase dramatically because it suddenly becomes much easier to order analyses?" asks Johannessen.
To find out, during the next four years she will study how Well Interactor influences this interaction. To explore this in depth, she will measure the trend in the number of laboratory requisitions and analyses over time, and she will also interview and observe the various professional groups at the hospitals and the staff at the GP practices.
Studying the innovation process
Johannessen will also look beyond this case study. The overarching objective is to study the entire process – from when a firm starts developing a system until its introduction by the public health service, both at the hospitals and out at the GP practices.
The health sector is a complex part of the working world, and there are many user groups that will – or should – be involved in the development of the systems so that they eventually lay the foundation for better collaboration. In addition, it is important to clarify the expectations for the new systems. What are we actually trying to achieve? And how will we measure whether we have succeeded in achieving it? Collaboration is not easy to quantify…
"There is a great deal to take into account when you plan to develop new systems for the health sector. What possibilities will you allow for, and how will you include users in this process, so that the system is easy to use? These will be my most important tasks," concludes Johannessen.
Contact person
PhD-student Liv Karen Johannessen, direct telephone +47 971 33 773 and email liv.karen.johannessen@well.no | 
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