1. Integrated care among healthcare providers in shared maternity care: what is the role of paper and electronic health records?
- Author
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Hawley G, Hepworth J, Jackson C, and Wilkinson SA
- Subjects
- Australia, Delivery of Health Care, Integrated, Female, Focus Groups, Health Personnel, Humans, Male, Maternal Health Services, Midwifery, Paper, Pregnancy, Tertiary Care Centers, Attitude of Health Personnel, Electronic Health Records, General Practitioners psychology, Hospital Records, Information Dissemination methods, Interprofessional Relations
- Abstract
This study examines a paper hand-held record and a shared electronic health record in an Australian tertiary hospital healthcare maternity setting and the role that both types of records play in facilitating integrated care among healthcare providers. A qualitative research design was used where five focus groups were conducted in two phases with 69 hospital healthcare providers. In total, 32 interviews were also carried out with general practitioners. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Three key themes were identified: (1) selective use of records; (2) records as communication of care; and (3) negativity about the use of records. This study demonstrates that healthcare providers do not effectively share information using either a paper hand-held record or a shared electronic health record. Considering a national commitment to e-health innovation, a multi-professional input, organisational support and continuing education are identified as crucial to realising the potential of a maternity shared electronic health record to facilitate integrated care.
- Published
- 2017
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