Formative stages of the common medication card and potential challenges with implementation of this service

Abstract

Western healthcare is provided in various levels in different organizations. Fragmented information flow and the need to improve the continuity of care has been a serious concern in healthcare system. Fragmented healthcare can result in medication errors that could have been avoided if information flow was organized better. Use of IT services in healthcare organization is seen as possible solution to reduce these mistakes. Common medication card project in Norway was initiated as a part of national strategy for electronic cooperation in health and social sector. Two similar projects in Tromsø and Trondheim were studied. The intentions of these projects are to reduce medication errors and improve the information flow between primary and secondary healthcare levels. This thesis is an interpretive study and has addressed the potential challenges with implementing the common medication card service. Interviews were the main data source. The main challenges that could be met when implementing the common medication card are dealing with the distributed character of healthcare work and interdependency of medication information, as well as obtaining the sustainable use of this service. Changes in work routines and responsibility are likely to appear but the consequences of these changes are hard to foresee.