Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Sensemaking in the Personal Health Space
List of Authors: Janne Lahtiranta, Jani Koskinen, Sari Knaapi-Junnila, Markku Nurminen
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Publication year: 2015
Journal: Information Technology and People
Journal acronym: ITP
Volume number: 28
Issue number: 4
Start page: 790
End page: 805
Number of pages: 16
ISSN: 0959-3845
eISSN: 0959-3845
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ITP-09-2014-0214
URL: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/itp/28/4
Abstract
PurposeService alignment between health service provider and patient is changing. Instead of placing responsibilities into the hands of a provider, new forms of co-operation are emerging in which patients are regarded as a resource and a partner. In order to see this vision come to life, mechanisms that a) support patient’s health decision making, and b) integrate matters of health into a wider ensemble that is health space; the overarching state of health related affairs, are needed. In the following, these kinds of mechanisms are investigated and their applicability is discussed in relation to a national project.
Design/methodology/approachOur work is exploratory and conceptual, focusing more on people than on technology. In the work, findings related to a concept of a health navigator; an artefact of personal health decision support, are assembled into a framework that bases on key sociological theories. The empirical elements focus on observations made on applicability of a) the concept, and b) the underlying framework of citizen-centric electronic health services.
FindingsWe argue that the discussed concept, when applied to personal health decision making according to the underlying framework, has a potential to change health service provisioning. In addition to stimulating new kind of co-operation between the health service provider and the citizen, the concept gives form to, somewhat idealized, notions of patient choice and empowerment.
Research limitations/implicationsThe work described here is exploratory and forward-looking. Even though the concept and the framework are tested to a degree in a national project, more practice-oriented work is needed in terms of real-world applicability. It follows from this that the work is a conceptual elaboration on the future of personal health decision making.
Originality/valueOur findings, including the discussed challenges and needs, stem from real-world observations; from the needs of citizens. As such, they indicate a direction into which the development of personal health records and health decision support aids should go.
PurposeService alignment between health service provider and patient is changing. Instead of placing responsibilities into the hands of a provider, new forms of co-operation are emerging in which patients are regarded as a resource and a partner. In order to see this vision come to life, mechanisms that a) support patient’s health decision making, and b) integrate matters of health into a wider ensemble that is health space; the overarching state of health related affairs, are needed. In the following, these kinds of mechanisms are investigated and their applicability is discussed in relation to a national project.
Design/methodology/approachOur work is exploratory and conceptual, focusing more on people than on technology. In the work, findings related to a concept of a health navigator; an artefact of personal health decision support, are assembled into a framework that bases on key sociological theories. The empirical elements focus on observations made on applicability of a) the concept, and b) the underlying framework of citizen-centric electronic health services.
FindingsWe argue that the discussed concept, when applied to personal health decision making according to the underlying framework, has a potential to change health service provisioning. In addition to stimulating new kind of co-operation between the health service provider and the citizen, the concept gives form to, somewhat idealized, notions of patient choice and empowerment.
Research limitations/implicationsThe work described here is exploratory and forward-looking. Even though the concept and the framework are tested to a degree in a national project, more practice-oriented work is needed in terms of real-world applicability. It follows from this that the work is a conceptual elaboration on the future of personal health decision making.
Originality/valueOur findings, including the discussed challenges and needs, stem from real-world observations; from the needs of citizens. As such, they indicate a direction into which the development of personal health records and health decision support aids should go.