Title: Testing a theoretical framework for interdisciplinary IT evaluation: The case of Finnish Electronic Prescription

Authors: Lauri Salmivalli, Hannele Hypponen, Pirkko Nykanen, Pekka Ruotsalainen, Marja Pajukoski

Addresses: Turku School of Economics and Business Administration, Rehtorinpellonkatu 3, 20520 Turku, Finland. ' Centre of Excellence for Information and Communication Technology, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), Helsinki, Finland. ' Department of Computer Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. ' Centre of Excellence for Information and Communication Technology, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), Helsinki, Finland. ' Centre of Excellence for Information and Communication Technology, National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), Helsinki, Finland

Abstract: This article describes a multidisciplinary framework and its use in the evaluation of a national medical e-Prescription system pilot in Finland. The framework was based on three theoretical concepts: activity system, actor network and development life cycle. These concepts have been developed within activity theory, developmental work research and sociology of technology. The framework was used to guide the constructive evaluation of the co-development of technology and services from different stakeholders' perspectives.

Keywords: electronic prescriptions; Finland; evaluation; information systems; interdisciplinary research; activity theory; actor network theory; development life cycle; e-prescriptions; healthcare technology; co-development; healthcare services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2007.012105

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.42-65

Published online: 21 Jan 2007 *

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