Adoption of technological innovations in the field of health: a study on information systems in the perspective of the theory of diffusion

Abstract

This paper identifies some factors which contribute for the adoption of a Technological Innovation (Systems of Information) in the health area and also identifies the way some internal groups are acting towards the adoption (and use) or rejection of a technological innovation. It has researched into an Electronic Patient Record system in an Emergency Ward and a Teaching Support System by Web in a Medicine College. Two pieces of field qualitative research have been carried out through adopting the technique of exploratory nature, conducted by interviews-in-depth with the main managers and key-users which influence the adoption of the innovation. The research outcome indicates (among other aspects), that the channels used for spreading innovation, for spreading the performance of change providers agents and the preparation for change are aspects that definitely determine the adoption of information systems in the health area.