The use of Electronic Information Systems in social work. A scoping review of the empirical articles published between 2000 and 2019

Abstract

Electronic information systems (EIS) are widely used in social work, but empirical research results about their use have yet to be disseminated and analysed. This scoping review of 36 articles published between 2000 and 2019 was conducted to summarise the existing body of knowledge to identify which themes have been the subject of previous research, as well as identifying gaps for future research. Four themes were identified: (1) the effects of using EISs on social work; (2) factors that have an impact on the use of EISs; (3) social workers' strategies in the use of EISs and (4) the development of EISs with social workers. The findings show that the use of EISs changed the priorities of social work. However, social workers deviated from the rules of EISs to maintain their agency in relation to their work. The use of EISs' lacked training, which led more to recording data instead of utilising it for professional purposes. Social workers' participation in the development of EISs was seen essential to avoid unanticipated consequences. EISs are not limited to technical or usability challenges, but there are more profound issues that need further examination.

Good Practice in the Implementation of Digital Social Care Records: A Rapid Scoping Review (Preprint)

“…Although bespoke and continuous training depended upon care provider leaders anticipating and committing financial resources, it seems a worthwhile investment for successful digital implementation. This finding echoes the results from a previous scoping review, which highlighted training as a key factor influencing the use of EISs [23].…”

“…It is unclear how many of these benefits were realised as opposed to anticipated [22]. A scoping review of Electronic Information Systems (EISs) in social care also found that EISs can negatively affect the priorities of social workers and do not meet the needs of the sector [23].…”

Experiences of Electronic Health Records’ and Client Information Systems’ Use on a Mobile Device and Factors Associated With Work Time Savings Among Practical Nurses: Cross-Sectional Study

“…Information and Communication Technology (ICT) including electronic health records (EHRs) and client information systems (CISs) have become an increasingly important part of healthcare and social services in Finland [1][2][3][4]. In fact, EHR has been a common tool in Finnish healthcare for a long time, and from 2010 onwards EHR availability has been 100% in public and private facilities [5].…”

“…EHR includes a comprehensive collection of patient health information (e.g., narrative texts and laboratory data), and the collected data can be used in the care processes of the patient [6]. Instead, CISs are more commonly used in public social welfare sector for accessing, storing and using client information and documents [3,4]. Over the decades, the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has guided the construction of technological infrastructure and related legislative work nationally with the eHealth and eWelfare strategy aiming to strengthen the effective use of data to support service renewal and the well-being of citizens [7].…”

Tietojärjestelmät lähihoitajien työn tukena eri toimintaympäristöissä: kokemuksia tuotemerkeittäin 2022

“…Lähihoitajilla saman asian moneen eri paikkaan kirjaaminen oli huolestuttavan tavallista kaikissa Terveydenhuollossa yleisimpiä rakenteisen kirjaamisen kiertoteitä ovat kirjaaminen vapaana tekstinä ilman myöhempää rakenteista kirjausta sekä kirjaaminen ensin paperille ja myöhemmin järjestelmään rakenteisesti − tämä ilmiö on tunnistettu myös sosiaalityössä [39]. Laadullisen tutkimuksen tulokset olivat ristiriitaisia: sähköisessä kirjaamisessa ei ollut osaamisvajetta hoitohenkilökunnan itsearvioissa, mutta haastatellut lähijohtajat tunnistivat kirjaamisessa sisällöllisiä puutteita [40].…”