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Talks and Poster Presentations (without Proceedings-Entry):

M. Tolar:
"Representation of Patient Data in Paper Based and Electronic Documentation Systems";
Talk: EASST conference (European Association for the Study of Science and Technology), Lausanne; 2006-08-23 - 2006-08-26.



English abstract:
With the introduction of computer based documentation systems in hospitals the questions of access to and representation of patient data become virulent. In the paper we explore how patient data are displayed in different documentation systems and what problems arise in specific settings. The paper presents results from a case study that is still ongoing. We are able to observe work practice in three oncology departments in Vienna that are using computer based as well as paper based documentation systems.

Oncology is special insofar as many patients receive continuous treatment for years and undergo diverse examinations. This implies that a considerable amount of data is collected and has to be held accessible. For the doctors it is crucial to get an overview of a patient's trajectory.
In paper based systems the materiality of the patient record plays a crucial role for the orientation within documents (through the texture, colours, layout of documents, standardised formats, annotations, etc.). The "temperature curve" used to monitor a patient's stay at a ward is a good example of how overview at one sight can be provided by paper based documentation.
In computer based systems there are several challenges for the display of information that has to be categorised to be accessible. One advantage could be the possibility to depict the evolution of a disease. However as doctors point out it is not easy to give rules of which information is relevant in what detail. Another important question is who enters the data as this is a time consuming task. Moreover what we observe in our case study is that the aim of the systems is not only documentation but also work flow management which is often more prominent in the daily work routine and requires another kind of information to be provided.

Created from the Publication Database of the Vienna University of Technology.