Resistance to computerization

Abstract

The introduction of computer technology into the health care environment has been fraught with difficulty. The literature has identified that while there are many applications that have been successfully implemented, there are many others that have met significant resistance. As such, the diffusion of computer technology has been scattered and uneven in the health care arena. Some scholars attribute the problems of resistance to structural variables such as value conflicts, power conflicts, and ones that involve the man-machine interface. Other view the resistance as process-oriented, citing such key factors as inadequate training, lack of user involvement, and discomfort due to organizational change. It is held here that the essence of resistance to computerization in clinical settings is based upon the difference between the cognitive style of the user and that required by the computer. It appears that since the decision-making methods of the user tend to favor intuitive processes, he or she becomes more resistant to using a system that forces qualitative information into quantitative niches. This study examines the cognitive style of two groups of health care providers within a hospital, and attempts to provide insight into how personal decision-making processes are related to resistance to computerization. It is suggested that a more thorough understanding of this relationship will enhance the ability of health care facilities to implement new systems in the future.

Participative HIS development: An approach and a case study

“…To this end, the variety of hospital functions and associated computer applicatious as well as the great diversity in skill, motivation and reaction to computers that characterize hospital end-user population should also be taken into account. (1,3,14) In summary, the approach described above can be divided into three parts. The first part includes stages 1 through 5 which are concerned with preparing the user participation process; the second includes stage 6 which is concerned with system development through user participation; and, the third includes the monitoring and control function (stage 7) that is necessary in order to ensure that the participative process progresses as required.…”

An Approach to Participative Personal Health Record System Development

“…services for elderly, clinical support services, primary care and community services) to specify the extent and content of user participation in system development (within the framework of the health district participation policy), and to define the user representatives (who are to take part in the participation process) and their training needs. To this end, the variety of health district functions and associated computer applications as well as the great diversity in skill, motivation and reaction to computers that characterize health district end-user population should also be taken into account (Anderson, Jay, Perry & Anderson, 1989;Mandell, 1987;Assimacopoulos, Elsig, Griesser & Scherrer, 1988).…”