In this issue: Innovation in design and implementation in health informatics

Abstract

InformatIcs to support natIons that are less resource rIchIn this issues provides evidence that good design can facilitate implementation. However, this issue also continues an ongoing theme that we must not make assumptions about the effectiveness of IT; as scientists, we should continually question and challenge. 1 Our first paper explores how careful planning is needed to implement computerised medical records (CMR) in less resource rich countries. Our first paper describes how the open source Bahami system (https://www.bahmni.org/, a front end for OpenMRS http://openmrs.org/) has been implemented in Nepal. 2 Our next paper also looks at the less resource rich, but this time how IT systems in community health facilities might help low-income individuals and families avoid potentially disastrous gaps in their public health insurance. 3 pros and cons of the computer In the consultatIonCompeau and Terry describe how, even though it has shortcomings, health information exchange has benefits for primary care. A challenge with such studies is the risk of selection bias with a low response rate (<50%). Notwithstanding the study usefully catalogues benefits and challenges. 4 Our next study reports how the top concern of CMR users is that it interferes with their relationship with the patients -with a marvellous quote 'It is like texting at the dinner table'. 5 This study is congruent with your editor's observations from many video studies; the computer interferes with the doctor-patient relationship but there are tradeoffs! 6 A systematic review, published within the pages of this journal, reported positive biomedical features of CMR use, 7 though its impact on relationships was more negative. 8 QuestIonIng the relIabIlIty and valIdIty of technologIesParpinel et al. test different methods of heart rate monitoring on different mobile phone platforms against a gold standard monitor. This is a simple but very useful challenge to the assumption that mobile devices accurately measure vital signs. 9 Similarly, Shaw and McGuire's review of geographic information system technology concludes that improvements need to be made in the quality of data input if proper conclusions are going to be made from the use of these technologies. 10 Hagger-Johnson et al. looked at the pseudonymisation algorithm 11 used in the English NHS to link together hospital and other data. This approach to pseudonymisation has never been reviewed and is topical because pseudonymisation In this issue

Real World Evidence to an eHealth tool: The 2017 top ten papers from Journal of Innovation in Health Informatics

“…Think again! This paper explained results that might be different16 and led your editor to write how you should take nothing for granted in technical innovations in informatics 17…”