| Learning Objective #1: Critically reflect on the role that information and information technology can play in integrated service development | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Appreciate the integral role that ALL staff play in service development, and the need for ALL staff to be fully involved in service development |
Integrated diabetes services require effective information processes and flows. For this reason the North Western Health Board plans to implement a Diabetes System. The Diabetes System must be configured to facilitate local diabetes processes.
The objective of this study is therefore to examine whether current clinic processes need to be changed prior to the implementation of the Diabetes System.Design: - A proposal to carry out process analysis was presented to Diabetes Working Groups in both General Hospitals. Both groups approved the proposal - Diabetes outpatient clinics were identified for the purposes of the assessment - Suitable patients were identified opportunistically by Diabetes Nurse Specialists. The assessment was explained to patients and their permission was sought to be included in the assessment - Patients who agreed were identified to the researcher - The researcher then followed patients through the clinic, recording a variety of processes.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years - The study was carried out in January 2002 in five adult diabetes clinics in two general hospitals.
Methods: The researcher acted as participant as observer, following the journey of adult patients through their diabetes patient appointments.
Interviews with clinic staff were conducted using structured interview schedules, designed in order to gather data that was not gained during observation.
Findings: The following outcomes were obtained from the observation: - The diabetes clinic experience - Staff roles in clinics - Process analysis in hospital outpatient clinics - Gathering and use of data in diabetes clinics
Conclusions: - Process analysis indicated that changes in current work flows need to be considered - While the diabetes system will be able to facilitate processes, it is staff and patients who will ultimately decide the success of integrated diabetes service development in the NWHB.
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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004