Evaluating the impact of enhancing information and communication technology in a rural, community-model primary health care setting in Newfoundland and Labrador

Collins, Kayla D. (2010) Evaluating the impact of enhancing information and communication technology in a rural, community-model primary health care setting in Newfoundland and Labrador. Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The Connaigre Peninsula primary health care (PHC) setting was chosen by the Newfoundland and Labrador government to explore the value of sharing client information in an interdisciplinary environment, by building on existing technologies to fill gaps in information and communication capabilities. A series of technical enhancements were implemented in this setting over approximately one year. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of these technical enhancements. Key stakeholders were engaged in the development of an evaluation framework and later evaluation protocol that was used to guide the evaluation. -- Using a comparative case study design, two additional PHC sites with varying levels of technical capacity were included as comparison sites in the evaluation: Bonne Bay, which had minimal technical capacity, and Twillingate/New World Island, which had a high level of technical capacity. -- Primary data collection included a survey and focus group with PHC team members and interviews with key stakeholders. Secondary data collection included use of data collected at the same sites as part of another study (Team Effectiveness/Scope of Practice Survey and Client Satisfaction Survey) and a review of existing documents. -- Findings indicate that the enhancement of information and communication technology (ICT) can facilitate various aspects of PHC delivery including team functioning, quality of care and administrative functioning. Findings and lessons learned can be used to support the enhancement of ICT in other community-model PHC settings, as well as facilitate the advancement of a province-wide electronic health record (EHR).

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