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Literature reviews play a key role in academic research by describing, understanding, explaining, and testing the constructs and theories within a particular topic area. In recent years, various commentaries, debates, and editorials in the information systems (IS) field’s top journals have highlighted the importance of a trustworthy literature review process, including detailed discussions on systematicity and transparency. Although the reproducibility of a literature review has also been noted as important, it remains less recognized because of several terminology-related issues. This ambiguity could result in misunderstandings regarding the degree of trust that should be placed in a literature review’s process. In this research essay, we seek to clarify what makes a literature review reproducible, how it is distinct from related concepts, and when achieving it is desirable and feasible. We propose a series of clarifications and remedies to assist scholars within and outside the IS field in the preparation of stand-alone reviews.

This study investigates the legitimation strategies adopted by information technology (IT) vendors and their respective influence on market share. We conducted an analysis of the public discourse on websites of top Electronic Medical Record (EMR) vendors in Ontario, Canada. A total of 815 segments extracted from these websites were analyzed. Our findings indicate that strategies under the cognitive and pragmatic forms of legitimacy were strongly represented in the EMR vendors’ discourses compared with regulative and normative strategies. Furthermore, the link between legitimation strategies and market share has not yet been clearly established. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Background: Laboratory testing occupies a prominent place in health care. Information technology systems havethe potential to empower laboratory experts and to enhance the interpretation of test results in order to bettersupport physicians in their quest for better and safer patient care. This study sought to develop a better understanding ofwhich laboratory information exchange (LIE) systems and features specialist physicians are using in hospital settings toconsult their patients’laboratory test results, and what benefit they derive from such use. Methods: As part of a broader research program on the use of health information exchange systems for laboratorymedicine in Quebec, Canada, this study was designed as on online survey. Our sample is composed of 566 specialist physicians working in hospital settings, out of the 1512 physicians who responded to the survey (response rate of 17%).Respondents are representative of the targeted population of specialist physicians in terms of gender, age and hospital location.Results: We first observed that 80% of the surveyed physicians used the province-wide interoperable electronic health records (iEHR) system and 93% used a laboratory results viewer (LRV) to consult laboratory test results and most (72%) useboth systems to retrieve lab results. Next, our findings reveal important differences in the capabilities available in eachtype of system and in the use of these capabilities. Third, there are differences in the nature of the perceived benefits obtained from the use of each of these two systems. Last, the extent of use of an LRV is strongly influenced by the ITartefact itself (i.e., the hospital’s LRV available capabilities) while the use of the provincial iEHR system is influenced by its organizational context (i.e. the hospital’s size and location). Conclusions: The main contribution of this study lies in its insights into the role played by context in shaping physicians’ choices about which laboratory information excha

Background : The accessibility of laboratory test results is crucial to the performance of emergency departments and to the safety of patients. This study aims to develop a better understanding of which laboratory information exchange (LIE) systems emergency care physicians (ECPs) are using to consult their patients’ laboratory test resultsand which benefits they derive from such use. Methods : A survey of 163 (36%) ECPs in Quebec was conducted in collaboration with the Quebec’s Department of Health and Social Services. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, cluster analyses, and ANOVAs were conducted. Results : The great majority of respondents indicated that they use several LIE systems including interoperableelectronic health record (iEHR) systems, laboratory results viewers (LRVs), and emergency department information systems (EDIS) to consult their patients’laboratory results. Three distinct profiles of LIE users were observed. The extent of LIE usage was found to be primarily determined by the functional design differences between LIE systemsavailable in the EDs. Our findings also indicate that the more widespread LIE usage, the higher the perceived benefits. More specifically, physicians who make extensive use of iEHR systems and LRVs obtain the widest range ofbenefits in terms of efficiency, quality, and safety of emergency care. Conclusions : Extensive use of LIE systems allows ECPs to better determine and monitor the health status of their patients, verify their diagnostic assumptions, and apply evidence-based practices in laboratory medicine. But forsuch benefits to be possible, ECPs must be provided with LIE systems that produce accurate, up-to-date, complete,and easy-to-interpret information.

Literature reviews play a key role in academic research by describing, understanding, explaining, and testing the constructs and theories within a particular topic area. In recent years, various commentaries, debates, and editorials in the information systems (IS) field’s top journals have highlighted the importance of a trustworthy literature review process, including detailed discussions on systematicity and transparency. Although the reproducibility of a literature review has also been noted as important, it remains less recognized because of several terminology-related issues. This ambiguity could result in misunderstandings regarding the degree of trust that should be placed in a literature review’s process. In this research essay, we seek to clarify what makes a literature review reproducible, how it is distinct from related concepts, and when achieving it is desirable and feasible. We propose a series of clarifications and remedies to assist scholars within and outside the IS field in the preparation of stand-alone reviews.

This study investigates the legitimation strategies adopted by information technology (IT) vendors and their respective influence on market share. We conducted an analysis of the public discourse on websites of top Electronic Medical Record (EMR) vendors in Ontario, Canada. A total of 815 segments extracted from these websites were analyzed. Our findings indicate that strategies under the cognitive and pragmatic forms of legitimacy were strongly represented in the EMR vendors’ discourses compared with regulative and normative strategies. Furthermore, the link between legitimation strategies and market share has not yet been clearly established. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Introduction: Laboratory testing in primary care is a fundamental process that supports patient management and care. Any breakdown in the process may alter clinical information gathering and decision-making activities and can lead to medical errors and potential adverse outcomes for patients. Various information technologies are being used in primary care with the goal to support the process, maximize patient benefits and reduce medical errors. However, the overall impact of health information technologies on laboratory testing processes has not been evaluated. Objectives: To synthesize the positive and negative impacts resulting from the use of health information technology in each phase of the laboratory 'total testing process' in primary care. Methods: We conducted a systematic review. Databases including Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched. Studies eligible for inclusion reported empirical data on: 1) the use of a specific IT system, 2) the impacts of the systems to support the laboratory testing process, and were conducted in 3) primary care settings (including ambulatory care and primary care offices). Our final sample consisted of 22 empirical studies which were mapped to a framework that outlines the phases of the laboratory total testing process, focusing on phases where medical errors may occur. Results: Health information technology systems support several phases of the laboratory testing process, from ordering the test to following-up with patients. This is a growing field of research with most studies focusing on the use of information technology during the final phases of the laboratory total testing process. The findings were largely positive. Positive impacts included easier access to test results by primary care providers, reduced turnaround times, and increased prescribed tests based on best practice guidelines. Negative impacts were reported in several studies: paper-based processes employed in parallel to the

Background : There has been indisputable growth in adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) systems in the recent years. However, physicians’progress in using these systems has stagnated when measured with maturity scales. While this so-called ceiling effect has been observed and its consequences described in previous studies, there is a paucity of research on the elements that could explain such an outcome. We first suggest that in the context of EMR systems we are in presence of a “tiered ceiling effect” and then we show why such phenomenon occurs. Methods : We conducted in-depth case studies in three primary care medical practices in Canada where physicians had been using EMR systems for 3 years or more. A total of 37 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants: family physicians (about half of the interviews), nurses, secretaries, and administrative managers. Additional information was obtained through notes taken during observations of users interacting with their EMR systems and consultation of relevant documents at each site. We used abductive reasoning to infer explanations of the observed phenomenon by going back and forth between the case data and conceptual insights. Results : Our analysis shows that a ceiling effect has taken place in the three clinics. We identified a set of conditions preventing the users from overcoming the ceiling. In adopting an EMR system, all three clinics essentially sought improved operational efficiency. This had an influence on the criteria used to assess the systems available on the market and eventually led to the adoption of a system that met the specified criteria without being optimal. Later, training sessions focussed on basic functionalities that minimally disturbed physicians’ habits while helping their medical practices become more efficient. Satisfied with the outcome of their system use, physicians were likely to ignore more advanced EMR system functionalities. This was because their knowledge a

Background: Laboratory testing occupies a prominent place in health care. Information technology systems havethe potential to empower laboratory experts and to enhance the interpretation of test results in order to bettersupport physicians in their quest for better and safer patient care. This study sought to develop a better understanding ofwhich laboratory information exchange (LIE) systems and features specialist physicians are using in hospital settings toconsult their patients’laboratory test results, and what benefit they derive from such use. Methods: As part of a broader research program on the use of health information exchange systems for laboratorymedicine in Quebec, Canada, this study was designed as on online survey. Our sample is composed of 566 specialist physicians working in hospital settings, out of the 1512 physicians who responded to the survey (response rate of 17%).Respondents are representative of the targeted population of specialist physicians in terms of gender, age and hospital location.Results: We first observed that 80% of the surveyed physicians used the province-wide interoperable electronic health records (iEHR) system and 93% used a laboratory results viewer (LRV) to consult laboratory test results and most (72%) useboth systems to retrieve lab results. Next, our findings reveal important differences in the capabilities available in eachtype of system and in the use of these capabilities. Third, there are differences in the nature of the perceived benefits obtained from the use of each of these two systems. Last, the extent of use of an LRV is strongly influenced by the ITartefact itself (i.e., the hospital’s LRV available capabilities) while the use of the provincial iEHR system is influenced by its organizational context (i.e. the hospital’s size and location). Conclusions: The main contribution of this study lies in its insights into the role played by context in shaping physicians’ choices about which laboratory information excha

Background : The accessibility of laboratory test results is crucial to the performance of emergency departments and to the safety of patients. This study aims to develop a better understanding of which laboratory information exchange (LIE) systems emergency care physicians (ECPs) are using to consult their patients’ laboratory test resultsand which benefits they derive from such use. Methods : A survey of 163 (36%) ECPs in Quebec was conducted in collaboration with the Quebec’s Department of Health and Social Services. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, cluster analyses, and ANOVAs were conducted. Results : The great majority of respondents indicated that they use several LIE systems including interoperableelectronic health record (iEHR) systems, laboratory results viewers (LRVs), and emergency department information systems (EDIS) to consult their patients’laboratory results. Three distinct profiles of LIE users were observed. The extent of LIE usage was found to be primarily determined by the functional design differences between LIE systemsavailable in the EDs. Our findings also indicate that the more widespread LIE usage, the higher the perceived benefits. More specifically, physicians who make extensive use of iEHR systems and LRVs obtain the widest range ofbenefits in terms of efficiency, quality, and safety of emergency care. Conclusions : Extensive use of LIE systems allows ECPs to better determine and monitor the health status of their patients, verify their diagnostic assumptions, and apply evidence-based practices in laboratory medicine. But forsuch benefits to be possible, ECPs must be provided with LIE systems that produce accurate, up-to-date, complete,and easy-to-interpret information.

Introduction Laboratory testing in primary care is a fundamental process that supports patient management and care. Any breakdown in the process may alter clinical information gathering and decision-making activities and can lead to medical errors and potential adverse outcomes for patients. Various information technologies are being used in primary care with the goal to support the process, maximize patient benefits and reduce medical errors. However, the overall impact of health information technologies on laboratory testing processes has not been evaluated. Objectives To synthesize the positive and negative impacts resulting from the use of health information technology in each phase of the laboratory ‘total testing process’ in primary care.Methods We conducted a systematic review. Databases including Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched. Studies eligible for inclusion reported empirical data on: 1) the use of a specific IT system, 2) the impacts of the systems to support the laboratory testing process, and were conducted in 3) primary care settings (including ambulatory care and primary care offices). Our final sample consisted of 22 empirical studies which were mapped to a framework that outlines the phases of the laboratory total testing process, focusing on phases where medical errors may occur.Results Health information technology systems support several phases of the laboratory testing process, from ordering the test to following-up with patients. This is a growing field of research with most studies focusing on the use of information technology during the final phases of the laboratory total testing process. The findings were largely positive. Positive impacts included easier access to test results by primary care providers, reduced turnaround times, and increased prescribed tests based on best practice guidelines. Negative impacts were reported in several studies: paper-based processes employed in parallel to the electr

The central role of information systems review articles has been recognised in a recent explosion of interest in editorials, research articles, and opinion papers investigating methods and approaches for conducting standalone reviews. In continuity with recent developments in this area, this descriptive review seeks to determine the extent to which various types of review articles published in our field are transparent, i.e., they report important methodological elements about their design. To fulfil this objective, we identified, classified, and coded 142 review articles from the Association for Information Systems (AIS) senior scholars’ basket of journals published between 2000 and 2014. Overall, our findings indicate inadequate reporting of the methods, procedures, and techniques used in a majority of reviews. Our assessment also reveals that theory development and narrative reviews, which are the most frequently published types of reviews in our field, generally were the least explicit with regard to the methods they used. Based on our observations, we recommend that authors of all forms of reviews better document design decisions so to increase trustworthiness, get meaningful results, and develop a cumulative body of knowledge in our discipline. The list of reporting items developed in this study can serve as a framework to assist prospective authors of reviews both within and outside our field.

Background : There has been indisputable growth in adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) systems in the recent years. However, physicians’progress in using these systems has stagnated when measured with maturity scales. While this so-called ceiling effect has been observed and its consequences described in previous studies, there is a paucity of research on the elements that could explain such an outcome. We first suggest that in the context of EMR systems we are in presence of a “tiered ceiling effect” and then we show why such phenomenon occurs. Methods : We conducted in-depth case studies in three primary care medical practices in Canada where physicians had been using EMR systems for 3 years or more. A total of 37 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants: family physicians (about half of the interviews), nurses, secretaries, and administrative managers. Additional information was obtained through notes taken during observations of users interacting with their EMR systems and consultation of relevant documents at each site. We used abductive reasoning to infer explanations of the observed phenomenon by going back and forth between the case data and conceptual insights. Results : Our analysis shows that a ceiling effect has taken place in the three clinics. We identified a set of conditions preventing the users from overcoming the ceiling. In adopting an EMR system, all three clinics essentially sought improved operational efficiency. This had an influence on the criteria used to assess the systems available on the market and eventually led to the adoption of a system that met the specified criteria without being optimal. Later, training sessions focussed on basic functionalities that minimally disturbed physicians’ habits while helping their medical practices become more efficient. Satisfied with the outcome of their system use, physicians were likely to ignore more advanced EMR system functionalities. This was because their knowledge a

The central role of information systems review articles has been recognised in a recent explosion of interest in editorials, research articles, and opinion papers investigating methods and approaches for conducting standalone reviews. In continuity with recent developments in this area, this descriptive review seeks to determine the extent to which various types of review articles published in our field are transparent, i.e., they report important methodological elements about their design. To fulfil this objective, we identified, classified, and coded 142 review articles from the Association for Information Systems (AIS) senior scholars’ basket of journals published between 2000 and 2014. Overall, our findings indicate inadequate reporting of the methods, procedures, and techniques used in a majority of reviews. Our assessment also reveals that theory development and narrative reviews, which are the most frequently published types of reviews in our field, generally were the least explicit with regard to the methods they used. Based on our observations, we recommend that authors of all forms of reviews better document design decisions so to increase trustworthiness, get meaningful results, and develop a cumulative body of knowledge in our discipline. The list of reporting items developed in this study can serve as a framework to assist prospective authors of reviews both within and outside our field.

Given that the synthesis of cumulated knowledge is an essential condition for any field to grow and develop, we believe that the enhanced role of IS reviews requires that this expository form be given careful scrutiny. Over the past decade, several senior scholars have made calls for more review papers in our field. While the number of IS review papers has substantially increased in recent years, no prior research has attempted to develop a general framework to conduct and evaluate the rigor of standalone reviews. In this paper, we fill this gap. More precisely, we present a set of guidelines for guiding and evaluating IS literature reviews and specify to which review types they apply. To do so, we first distinguish between four broad categories of review papers and then propose a set of guidelines that are grouped according to the generic phases and steps of the review process. We hope our work will serve as a valuable source for those conducting, evaluating, and/or interpreting reviews in our field.

We investigated the effects of the introduction of mobile computing on the quality of home care nursing practice in Québec. The software, which structured and organized the nursing activities in patients’ homes, was installed sequentially in nine community health centres. The completeness of the nursing notes was compared in 77 paper records (pre-implementation) and 73 electronic records (post-implementation). Overall, the introduction of the software was associated with an improvement in the completeness of the nursing notes. All 137 nurse users were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. A total of 101 completed questionnaires were returned (74% response rate). Overall, the nurses reported a very high level of satisfaction with the quality of clinical information collected. A total of 57 semi-structured interviews were conducted and most nurses believed that the new software represented a user-friendly tool with a clear and understandable structure. A postal questionnaire was sent to approximately 1240 patients. A total of 223 patients returned the questionnaire (approximately 18% response rate). Overall, patients felt that the use of mobile computing during home visits allowed nurses to manage their health condition better and, hence, provide superior care services. The use of mobile computing had positive and significant effects on the quality of care provided by home nurses.

The ranking-type Delphi method is well suited as a means for consensus-building by using a series of questionnaires to collect data from a panel of geographically dispersed participants. This method allows a group of experts to systematically approach a particular task or problem. While information systems researchers have been using this method for almost three decades, no research to date has attempted to assess the extent to which Delphi studies have been rigorously conducted. Using the guidelines that have been prescribed by the leading Delphi methodologists, our descriptive review reveals many positive signs of rigor such as ensuring the anonymity of experts and providing clear and precise instructions to participants. Nevertheless, there are still several areas for improvement, such as reporting response and retention rates, instrument pretesting, and explicitly justifying modifications to the ranking-type Delphi method

Given that the synthesis of cumulated knowledge is an essential condition for any field to grow and develop, we believe that the enhanced role of IS reviews requires that this expository form be given careful scrutiny. Over the past decade, several senior scholars have made calls for more review papers in our field. While the number of IS review papers has substantially increased in recent years, no prior research has attempted to develop a general framework to conduct and evaluate the rigor of standalone reviews. In this paper, we fill this gap. More precisely, we present a set of guidelines for guiding and evaluating IS literature reviews and specify to which review types they apply. To do so, we first distinguish between four broad categories of review papers and then propose a set of guidelines that are grouped according to the generic phases and steps of the review process. We hope our work will serve as a valuable source for those conducting, evaluating, and/or interpreting reviews in our field.

The ranking-type Delphi method is well suited as a means for consensus-building by using a series of questionnaires to collect data from a panel of geographically dispersed participants. This method allows a group of experts to systematically approach a particular task or problem. While information systems researchers have been using this method for almost three decades, no research to date has attempted to assess the extent to which Delphi studies have been rigorously conducted. Using the guidelines that have been prescribed by the leading Delphi methodologists, our descriptive review reveals many positive signs of rigor such as ensuring the anonymity of experts and providing clear and precise instructions to participants. Nevertheless, there are still several areas for improvement, such as reporting response and retention rates, instrument pretesting, and explicitly justifying modifications to the ranking-type Delphi method

We investigated the effects of the introduction of mobile computing on the quality of home care nursing practice in Québec. The software, which structured and organized the nursing activities in patients’ homes, was installed sequentially in nine community health centres. The completeness of the nursing notes was compared in 77 paper records (pre-implementation) and 73 electronic records (post-implementation). Overall, the introduction of the software was associated with an improvement in the completeness of the nursing notes. All 137 nurse users were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. A total of 101 completed questionnaires were returned (74% response rate). Overall, the nurses reported a very high level of satisfaction with the quality of clinical information collected. A total of 57 semi-structured interviews were conducted and most nurses believed that the new software represented a user-friendly tool with a clear and understandable structure. A postal questionnaire was sent to approximately 1240 patients. A total of 223 patients returned the questionnaire (approximately 18% response rate). Overall, patients felt that the use of mobile computing during home visits allowed nurses to manage their health condition better and, hence, provide superior care services. The use of mobile computing had positive and significant effects on the quality of care provided by home nurses.

Cette expérience avait pour but de vérifier la validité du niveau socio-économique l'âge le nombre d'années de scolarité, le type de scolarité, les résultats scolaires et le profil d'intérêt dans la prédiction du succès scolaire de 56 étudiants de la Faculté d'Administration de l'Université de Sherbrooke. La méthode utilisée a été celle dite de "l'employé sur place" soit: décrire les six prédicteurs mentionnés plus haut ainsi qu'un critère d'évaluation, en l'occurrence, le résultat scolaire obtenu à la fin du premier semestre de l'année scolaire 1969-1970 et, enfin, établir les corrélations possible entre ces prédicteurs et le critère. Les résultats n'ont démontré qu'une relation significative à .05 soit celle établie entre le niveau socioéconomique et le critère: les étudiants de niveau socioéconomique élevé réussissent en plus grand nombre que les autres. Il a été constaté, aussi, que les étudiants plus jeunes et que ceux qui possédaient un D.E.C, semblaient réussir en plus grand nombre. Enfin, la non-différence entre le profil d'intérêt des étudiants forts et des faibles démontre très bien l'homogénéité du groupe pour ce qui touche l'administration de près.