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Background: The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD is an extremely influential U.K. primary care dataset for epidemiological research having a number of published papers based on its data much bigger than any other U.K. primary care dataset. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) death data for England can be linked to GOLD at the patient level and are considered the gold standard on mortality. GOLD, which also holds death data, has been recently assessed against ONS linked dataset and the accuracy of its dates of death has been deemed sufficient for the majority of observational studies. However, there is a lack of guidance on how to manage the challenges existing when ONS mortality and GOLD datasets are linked, including linkage coverage period, linkage correctness likelihood, linkage regional limitations and data discrepancy.Objectives: Provide reconciling guidelines on how to make maximum and at the same time trustworthy use of mortality information coming from both GOLD and ONS linked datasets with the aim of improving the quality, reproducibility, transparency and comparison of clinical research.Method and Results: We have developed recommendations on how to manage mortality data coming from both GOLD and linked ONS, taking into account linkage coverage period, linkage correctness likelihood, linkage regional limitations and data discrepancies between these two datasets. We have also implemented these guidelines in an SQL algorithm for researchers to use.Conclusion: We have provided detailed guidelines on the reconciliation of mortality data between GOLD and ONS linked death datasets, taking into account both their strengths and limitations. The consistent application of these guidelines made practical by an SQL algorithm, has the potential to improve clinical research quality, reproducibility, transparency and comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: This paper explores the implications that different technical strategies for sharing patient information have for healthcare workers and, as a consequence, for the extent to which these systems provide support for integrated care. Methods: Four technical strategies were identified and the forms of coupling they made with healthcare agencies were classified. A study was conducted in England to examine the human and organizational implications of systems implemented by these four strategies. Results were used from evaluation reports of two systems delivered as part of the NPfIT (National Programme for Information Technology) and from user responses to systems delivered in two local health communities in England. In the latter study 40 clinical respondents reported the use of systems to support integrated care in six healthcare pathways. Results: The implementation of a detailed care record system (DCRS) in the NPfIT was problematic because it could not meet the diverse needs of all healthcare agencies and it required considerable local customization. The programme evolved to allow different systems to be delivered for each local health community. A national Summary Care Record (SCR) was implemented but many concerns were raised about wide access to confidential patient information. The two technical strategies that required looser forms of coupling and were under local control led to wide user adoption. The systems that enabled data to be transferred between local systems were successfully used to support integrated care in specific healthcare pathways. The portal approach gave many users an opportunity to view patient data held on a number of databases and this system evolved over a number of years as a result of requests from the user community. Conclusions: The UK national strategy to deliver single shared database systems requires tight coupling between many users and has led to poor adoption because of the diverse needs of healthcare agencies. Sharing patient information has been more successful when local systems have been developed to serve particular healthcare pathways or when separate databases are viewable through a portal. On the basis of this evidence technical strategies that permit the local design of tight coupling are necessary if information systems are to support integrated care in healthcare pathways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Qualitative studies have provided important insights into how hospital pharmacists' work changes when electronic medication management (EMM) systems are introduced. Quantitative studies of work practice change are rare. Despite the use of EMM systems internationally, there are no cross-country comparative studies of their impact on health professionals' work. We aimed to quantify and compare the type and magnitude of changes in hospital pharmacists' work pre- and post-EMM implementation in two countries., Methods: Parallel, direct observational, time and motion studies of pharmacists in Australia and England pre- and post-EMM implementation. 20 pharmacists were observed: 9 in an Australian 440-bed hospital (155 h); and 11 pharmacists in a 500-bed English hospital (258 h). The Work Observation Method By Activity Timing (WOMBAT) software was used to collect observational data. Proportions of observed time in 11 tasks by study period (pre- versus post-EMM) and site, time spent with others or alone, and using different tools (e.g computers, paper) were calculated. Magnitude of changes between pre- and post-EMM by task and country were determined using z-tests for proportions adjusting for multiple testing., Results: At baseline, Australian and English pharmacists spent the greatest proportion of time in medication review. Post-EMM, time in medication review (Australia 21.6%-27.5%; England 27.1%-33.8%) and history-taking (Australia 7.6%-13.3%; England 19.5%-28.9%) significantly increased. Despite country differences in these tasks at baseline, the magnitude of changes did not significantly differ. English pharmacists increased time engaged in medication discussions with patients post-EMM (from 5.9% to 10.8%; p = 0.01). The Australian rate did not change (18.0%-27.2%; p = 0.09), but was higher at baseline. Post-EMM, Australian pharmacists spent 63.4% of time working alone, compared to 92.0% for English pharmacists., Conclusions: EMM systems impacted the same core areas of work and had a similar magnitude of effect on pharmacists' work in both countries. Anticipated reductions in medication review and history taking were not observed., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Context: Despite widespread efforts to improve the quality and safety of healthcare through use of hospital information systems (HIS), many healthcare organizations face challenges in implementation and effective use of these applications, in particular when systems have been developed internationally (mainly in the US). Suppliers of these technologies also find it challenging to produce systems that work effectively across a range of geographical, cultural and institutional boundaries. In this paper, we seek to understand the strategies used by suppliers and adopters of HIS to overcome the challenges involved in the development and adoption of generic overseas systems., Methods: We conducted a qualitative study, by interviewing 176 individuals (eight organizations), observing two user groups, and running a supplier focus group. We used inductive thematic analysis to assess emerging strategies in developing and implementing overseas packaged HIS in English settings., Findings: The health sector in England has entered a period of potentially transformative change with many international HIS suppliers entering the market. This has provoked call for the 'Anglicization' of generic systems. This endeavor, has resulted in emergence of more or less aligned supplier and user strategies to overcome the difficulties in the process. This includes a continuous process of identification and classification of requests (by suppliers), and unification and voicing of needs (by adopters)., Conclusions: The complexity of health service provision, drives calls for customization of technologies in this sector. Consequent tensions between 'standardization' and 'localization' are requiring suppliers of generic solutions to develop more sophisticated strategies as they pursue international growth of their market., (Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine nurses' attitudes and reflection on the transformation of their workpractices after the implementation of an Emergency Department Information System (EDIS)., Methods: A qualitative study using interviews, mainly with nurses, conducted four years after the implementation of an EDIS at the emergency department (ED) of a large university hospital in Midlands, UK., Results: The introduction of waiting time targets for patients attending EDs and the spatial expansion of these clinical settings so as to support increasing numbers of attendances challenged the viability of paper records and whiteboards in the management of patient flows within the department. They also fostered the use of an information system for accumulating information and coordinating the activities of the multidisciplinary team. While whiteboards were abolished, paper still plays a role in nursing practice in response to issues of confidentiality, personal safety, ergonomics, computer literacy, interoperability, relationship with patients and overdependence on EDIS., Conclusions: ED information systems can have a major impact on organisational practices particularly as new service models of care are gradually introduced in EDs. Considering their spatio-temporal implications while treating the technology as an artifact with transformative, rather than supportive or substitutive, power enhances our understanding of the implementation challenges that need to be addressed during the reshaping of the sociotechnical network., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Problems of communication are an important barrier on the pathway to healthcare for patients with limited or no ability in the majority language of the country in which they live. Solutions involving interpreters who have to be booked in advance, or using unqualified friends or family members to translate, are highly unsatisfactory., Aim: This paper describes a computer-based approach to alleviating the situation., Design/method: A computer-based communication aid was developed and tested. The communication aid is designed to permit an English-speaking healthcare practitioner to select a series of questions which are then presented along with a range of possible answers for the patient to choose from. The questions and answers are presented in the patient's own language in both text and digitised speech accompanied by symbols as well as English text. As a test-case we focused on Somali patients with asthma., Results: 26 simulated consultations with Somali asthma sufferers and healthcare practitioners (three GPs and six nurses) with experience of asthma treatment with this patient group were held with the system implemented either on a laptop with mouse pad, or a tablet with stylus. All the consultations were successfully completed with a high satisfaction rate on the part of both practitioners and patients., Conclusion: Feedback questionnaires suggest some areas for improvement. The proposed system is a practical way of addressing the problem of communication with patients with limited English in the context of clinician-led question-answer dialogues.

In 1994, La Sainte Union College of Higher Education (LSU) developed an MSc in Health Informatics course, in conjunction with Southampton University NHS Trust (SUHT). The original part-time, 1 day per week mode of delivery has since been broadened to include a distance leaning route and recently a block release mode, by which students combine usage of the distance learning materials with attendance in College for an intensive 2-day taught element. Because the course was designed in close co-operation with a major teaching hospital, it has always been 'market led' to meet the needs both of the individual students and of the organisations that they work for. At the same time, students acquire a quality-assured qualification from a premier UK university, a qualification that holds credence outside the National Health Service (NHS). At the same time as LSU and SUHT were developing the MSc in Health Informatics, the UK NHS Training Division (NHSTD) started to promote a professional qualification for health service professionals. the so-called 'Statement of Recognition' (SoR). In contrast to the academic format of an MSc, the SoR was not a formal course, but a combination of modules designed to help candidates demonstrate their competence and achievement at work by portfolio evidence. This approach has national standing throughout the UK in a set of qualifications known as NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications). The NHSTD, through its successor, the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD), has further refined this competency based model, culminating in the launch in 1996 of the Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Information and Technology (Health). Professionals within the area of Information Management and Technology (IM&T) in the NHS now have the alternatives of an academic or a competency route to achieve their goals. This paper traces the development of and the relationship between, these two approaches to the educational and training of healthcare professionals. It will illustrate the shift from Information Technology (IT) to Information Management skills, which is a pre-requisite to satisfy the changing needs of information users. It will also consider how a single Master's course can lead to a range of courses which meet the needs of professionals at various levels. Finally, it makes some recommendations for future developments of the programmes, suggestions which may have some relevance outside of the UK.