Improving information management in the Health Service: The role of information systems development

Abstract

The lack of adoption of health information management systems (IS) in the health services, as part of the drive to attain greater efficiency and productivity is the subject of many debates. Recent research suggests that, this lack of adoption is partly due the widely reported failures of costly health information systems projects, fragmented and complexity of systems and the lack of focus during the development stages. The resulting consequences are resistance to change, scepticism of new technology and hence lack of innovation in IS adoption within the health service. This paper examines ways in which these issues can be overcome, the role that information systems development can play in the health service to accelerate change. This will enable the health service and users deliver appropriate and responsive services that will improve better information management.