Abstract
Coordination of information and resources is central to efficient ward management. Tools to aid coordination include standardized procedures and paper lists and, more recently, electronic tools such as whiteboards and mobile solutions.
This study reports on the experiences and effects of designing and implementing collaboration technology, and how
the use of light-weight technology has enabled redesign of traditional work processes. The process followed the principles for user-centered development and is evaluated
through observations and informal interviews of users and stakeholders. In addition to the expected changes in work processes, we found that short redesign cycles with heavy user involvement afforded by this technology enabled implementation of new ways of structuring and combining
information that were not foreseen. This turned the Collaboration technology into a tool that also guided prioritization between tasks and contributed to the effects seen in use of resources, user satisfaction, and quality of treatment.
This study reports on the experiences and effects of designing and implementing collaboration technology, and how
the use of light-weight technology has enabled redesign of traditional work processes. The process followed the principles for user-centered development and is evaluated
through observations and informal interviews of users and stakeholders. In addition to the expected changes in work processes, we found that short redesign cycles with heavy user involvement afforded by this technology enabled implementation of new ways of structuring and combining
information that were not foreseen. This turned the Collaboration technology into a tool that also guided prioritization between tasks and contributed to the effects seen in use of resources, user satisfaction, and quality of treatment.