Sociotechnical Changes Brought about by Electronic Medical Record

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleResearchpeer-review

  • Nina Boulus-Rødje
This paper provides analysis of a 3-year longitudinal ethnographic study following the gradual adaptation of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) in a community health centre in Canada. Adopting a sociotechnical perspective, I follow the EMR and the work practices as they undergo continuous modifications and I identify changes that are brought about by the EMR. Findings from this research show essential differences between types of sociotechnical changes and their implications. I distinguish between the initial changes that occurred and their implications which I characterize as having straightforward, direct, and immediate effects; and the emergent changes and their implications which I characterize as being broader and having a deeper level of impact in the long term. Furthermore, I illustrate how some of these changes reflected realizations of the visions behind the dream of implementing an EMR; while other changes enabled new practices and illuminated issues that were invisible before. Finally, drawing upon insights from actor-network theory, I show how the EMR is becoming more than just a tool; it is participating in creating new practices and gradually transforming the medical profession.
Original languageEnglish
Article number781
JournalProceedings of the 15th American Conference on Information Systems
Number of pages9
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Eventamerican conference on information systems - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 7 Aug 20099 Aug 2009

Conference

Conferenceamerican conference on information systems
CountryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period07/08/200909/08/2009

ID: 132472083