Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this paper is to examine the adequacy of the concept of Physician Order Entry (POE) as a model for clinical systems, and to suggest an alternative understanding of the order creation and communication process. Methods: The study is based on an interpretative analysis of POE as a model for clinical systems and the results of our recent fieldwork. Results: Observations from our recent fieldwork suggest that orders, like patient care in general, emerge from interactions among patients, physicians, nurses, family members and others, employing a variety of technologies and information resources in the process. Orders as we have observed them originate, are negotiated, and are carried out in a dynamically evolving group with fluctuating membership and shifting role responsibilities. Furthermore, orders by themselves represent only a partial picture of what is done for the patient. Conclusions: We argue that information systems are more likely to be helpful if they accommodate and facilitate POE as a multidisciplinary collaboration effort and fit better into the larger system of patient care.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 376-384 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Methods of Information in Medicine |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2003 |
Keywords
- Computerized physician order entry (CPOE)
- Distributed cognition
- Human computer interaction
- Social informatics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Informatics
- Advanced and Specialized Nursing
- Health Information Management