Greatbatch2001

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Greatbatch2001
BibType ARTICLE
Key Greatbatch2001
Author(s) David Greatbatch, Elizabeth Murphy, Robert Dingwall
Title Evaluating medical information systems: ethnomethodological and interactionist approaches
Editor(s)
Tag(s) medical EMCA, medical information systems, interactionism
Publisher
Year 2001
Language
City
Month
Journal Health Services Management Research
Volume 14
Number 3
Pages 181–191
URL Link
DOI 10.1258/0951484011912681
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

This paper examines how qualitative research can contribute to the evaluation of medical information systems. Most qualitative studies of the use of medical computer systems adopt either an interactionist or, less commonly, an ethnomethodological perspective. The paper compares and contrasts the two approaches through the detailed discussion of two case studies, one rooted in each tradition. It identifies the implications of using these different analytical approaches and assesses their strengths and weaknessess. The paper argues that the preference for interactionism has led qualitative researchers to overlook important aspects of the social processess which surround the use of computer systems and that, consequently, a shift in emphasis towards ethnomethodological research is necessary. Nonetheless, it concludes by asserting that both strands of qualitative research can illuminate the organizational impact of medical computer systems.

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