Integrated care among healthcare providers in shared maternity care: what is the role of paper and electronic health records?

Purpose This study examines a paper hand-held record and shared electronic health record in an Australian tertiary hospital health care maternity setting and the role that both types of records play in facilitating integrated care among health care providers. Theory and methods A qualitative research design was used where five focus groups were conducted in two phases with 69 hospital health care providers. Thirty-two interviews were also carried out with general practitioners. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Three key themes were identified: 1. Selective use of records; 2. Communication of care; 3. Negativity about the use of records. Conclusions This study demonstrates that health care providers do not effectively share information using either a paper hand-held record or a shared electronic health record. Considering a national commitment to e-health innovation, a multi-professional input, organisational support and continuing education are identified as crucial to realising the potential of a maternity shared electronic health record to facilitate integrated care.