Using ontology-based knowledge networks for user training in managing healthcare processes

Abstract

The cooperative and collaborative nature of healthcare delivery requires active user participation in healthcare process design/redesign. Hence, there is a need to provide users with reusable, flexible, agile and adaptable training material in order to enable them instil their knowledge and expertise in healthcare process modelling and automation activities. This paper presents a prototype approach for designing user training material which is based on externalising domain knowledge in the form of ontology-based knowledge networks. The approach provides significant advantages to both designers (knowledge-content reusability and Semantic Web enabling) and users (semantic search, knowledge navigation and knowledge dissemination).

A semantic wiki for user training in ePrescribing processes

“…Hence, considerable attention has been paid on designing new healthcare processes or redesigning existing ones, according to current requirements [15,17,25]. This requires active user participations so that users' knowledge and expertise is incorporated into ePrescribing process definitions.…”

“…Hence, considerable attention has been paid to designing process models of healthcare delivery and on developing healthcare information systems that support intra-and inter-organizational healthcare processes, focusing on reducing (or eliminating) medical errors and improving quality of care [17,26]. The ePrescribing has been described as part of a solution to improved patient safety, while reducing medication costs.…”

“…Too many avoidable errors are still happening and in many circumstances, a lack of patient care coordination and teamwork is identified. Well-defined ePrescribing processes and interoperable health IT will enable virtual care teams to cooperate in the care of patients across organizational boundaries [17,26]. Thus, one important consideration in ePrescribing system adoption is to enable and foster active user participation, since users are required to think of their activities as constituents of healthcare processes and, hence, to instil their knowledge and expertise in the definition and automation of ePrescribing processes while paying due regard to culture.…”

“…Properly designed user training material should enable users understand process-oriented healthcare delivery, visualize the inter-organizational healthcare processes, assimilate the logic underlying existing processes and identify areas where redesigning existing processes is required in order to adapt to today's dynamic healthcare environment [15,17,26]. The knowledge that these intra and inter-organizational healthcare processes contain (e.g., flow of activities, resources involved, physical location, coordination requirements) and the data content must be made explicit through training so that healthcare professionals understand the requirements of the environment and participate collaboratively in its development.…”

Embedding on-Line Training in an E-Prescribing Service

“…The drive in healthcare to reduce cost and improve quality requires enhanced cooperation and collaboration among disparate healthcare units. Hence, considerable attention has been paid on developing healthcare information systems that support intra-and inter-organizational healthcare processes, focusing on reducing (or eliminating) medical errors, containing costs and improving quality of care (Makris et al, 2009); (Wieringa et al, 2003).…”