Når EPM møder klinisk praksis: klinikernes anvendelse af et elektronisk medicinmodul i et socioteknisk perspektiv

Abstract

Projektet tog udgangspunkt i egne og andres observationer af klinikernes uautoriserede anvendelse af et elektronisk patientmedicinmodul (EPM). Formålet var at undersøge, i hvilket omfang klinikerne tilpasser sig til EPM, og i hvilket omfang de tilpasser deres anvendelse af EPM til de daglige arbejdsgange. Endvidere var det hensigten at søge forklaringer på disse afvigelser fra de formelle regler for brug af EPM. Som genstandsfelt valgte vi en gynækologisk-obstetrisk afdeling, der har anvendt EPM i lidt over et år. Som undersøgelsesdesign benyttede vi metodetriangulering i form af deltagerobservation, interviews samt en analyse af afdelingens opgørelser over indberettede utilsigtede hændelser i relation til EPM. Data blev analyseret inden for en teoretisk ramme, der omfattede teori om aktør-netværksteori og Social Construction Of Technology, samt sociologisk forskning i relationerne mellem læger og sygeplejersker. Som teoretisk analyseramme valgte vi at teste en socioteknisk analysemodel, udviklet til studier af anvendelsen af sundhedsinformatiske systemer i praksis Vi identificerede næsten alle de former for workarounds og konsekvenser af EPM, der er beskrevet i litteraturen, og dertil nogle der er mindre velbeskrevet. De fysiske omgivelser og indretning af medicinrummet er en væsentlig faktor, og der skal være hensigtsmæssigt og rigeligt hardware samt et velfungerende trådløst netværk. Endelig fandt vi, at EPM ikke understøtter patientforløb på tværs af afdelingsskel, samt at lægers og sygeplejerskers arbejdsdeling er flydende med varierende opgavefordeling. Klinikerne bruger EPM i det omfang, det kan lade sig gøre. I de situationer hvor det ikke er muligt, bruger de EPM som de brugte det tidligere medicinskema og dokumenterer på papir. Det giver sig udslag i de samme typer af ’workarounds’, uautoriserede metoder i anvendelsen af EPM, der er observeret internationalt. En forklaring på dette kan findes i de paradigmer, der er bygget ind i EPM. Systemet afspejler lovgivningen om medicinering og opfattelsen af medicinering som en lineær arbejdsproces. Dertil kommer, at rettighedsstrukturerne i EPM fastfryser faggrænserne og splitter patientforløbet op i afdelingsenheder, der giver manglende sammenhæng på tværs. Nogle af de påviste uhensigtsmæssigheder kan løses ved hjælp af ombygninger, anskaffelse af hensigtsmæssigt og tilstrækkeligt hardware, samt en lempeligere tolkning af lovgivning og vejledninger. Men på sigt skal der etableres en ny form for systemudvikling, der har som mål at udvikle sociotekniske systemer i samarbejde med brugerne.

The project took its starting point in our own and others’ observations of clinicians’ unauthor-ized use of computerized physician order entry systems (CPOE’s). The aim was to investigate to what extent clinicians adapt to CPOE, and to what extent they adjust their use of CPOE according to their accustomed workflow. Furthermore it was our aim to seek an explanation of these ‘workarounds’ or deviations from the formal rules for the use of CPOE. As empirical field we chose a gynaecological-obstetrical department that has used CPOE for a little more than a year. We used triangulation in our research design involving observation, interviews and an analysis of adverse events associated with CPOE reported by the ward. Data were analysed within a theoretical frame of reference consisting of actor-network theory and SCOT (Social Construction Of Technology), as well as sociological research on the working relations between doctors and nurses. As our theoretical frame of analysis we chose to test a new socio-technical model that has been developed for studies on health informatics system in clinical practise. We found that we could identify almost the same types of workarounds and unintended consequences of CPOE described in the literature. In addition we found some observations that have not been well described: The physical environment and the interior design of especially the ward’s medication room are essential factors, and there must be a sufficient amount of small and handy scanners, as well as a well functioning wireless network. Finally we found that the division of work between doctors and nurses are fluent, and that it often are nurses who take the initiative to medical orders and adjustment of medical doses. Clinicians use CPOE as far as possible. In those situations where it is not feasible, they use CPOE as they used the former medication chart, and they document on paper. It is reflected in the same types of workarounds that have been observed internationally. An explanation can be found in the paradigms inherent in CPOE. The system reflects the legislation on medication and a linear conception of the medication process. Moreover, the au-thorization structure freezes professional demarcations, and splits the patient’s trajectory into ward- and departmental units, leading to loss of coherence across departmental boundaries. Some of the inappropriate elements in CPOE may be solved by rebuilding, purchasing of appropriate and sufficient hardware, as well as a more lenient interpretation of the legislation. In the long term, however, a new type of system development and design must be established that see it as an aim to develop socio-technical systems in cooperation with the clinical users.

A master programme thesis from Aalborg University

Når EPM møder klinisk praksis: klinikernes anvendelse af et elektronisk medicinmodul i et socioteknisk perspektiv

[When CPOE meets clinical practice: Clinicians’ use of a computerized physician order entry system in a sociotechnical perspective]