Bridget Kane | Karlstad University (original) (raw)
Papers by Bridget Kane
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2024
Introduction: Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EH... more Introduction: Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Providing good usability is especially challenging in the health care context, as there is a wide variety of patient users. Usability benchmarking is an approach for improving usability by evaluating and comparing the strength and weaknesses of systems. The main purpose of this study is to benchmark usability of patient portals across countries.
Methods: A mixed-methods survey approach was applied to benchmark the national patient portals offering patient access to EHR in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. These Nordic countries have similar public healthcare systems, and they are pioneers in offering patients access to EHR for several years. In a survey of 29,334 patients, both patients’ quantitative ratings of usability and their qualitative descriptions of very positive and very negative peak experiences of portal use were collected.
Results: The usability scores ranged from good to fair level of usability. The narratives of very positive and very negative experiences included the benefits of the patient portals and experienced usability issues. The regression analysis of results showed that very positive and negative experiences of patient portal use explain 19–35% of the variation of usability scores in the four countries. The percentage of patients who reported very positive or very negative experiences in each country was unrelated to the usability scores across countries.
Conclusions: The survey approach could be used to evaluate usability with a wide variety of users and it supported learning from comparison across the countries. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data provided an approximation of the level of the perceived usability, and identified usability issues to be improved and useful features that patients appreciate. Further work is needed to improve the comparability of the varied samples across countries.
Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Providing ... more Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Providing good usability is especially challenging in the health care context, as there is a wide variety of patient users. Usability benchmarking is an approach for improving usability by evaluating and comparing the strength and weaknesses of systems. The main purpose of this study is to benchmark usability of patient portals across countries. Methods: A mixed-methods survey approach was applied to benchmark the national patient portals offering patient access to EHR in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. These Nordic countries have similar public healthcare systems, and they are pioneers in offering patients access to EHR for several years. In a survey of 29,334 patients, both patients' quantitative ratings of usability and their qualitative descriptions of very positive and very negative peak experiences of portal use were collected. Results: The usability scores ranged from good to fair level of usability. The narratives of very positive and very negative experiences included the benefits of the patient portals and experienced usability issues. The regression analysis of results showed that very positive and negative experiences of patient portal use explain 19-35% of the variation of usability scores in the four countries. The percentage of patients who reported very positive or very negative experiences in each country was unrelated to the usability scores across countries. Conclusions: The survey approach could be used to evaluate usability with a wide variety of users and it supported learning from comparison across the countries. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data provided an approximation of the level of the perceived usability, and identified usability issues to be improved and useful features that patients appreciate. Further work is needed to improve the comparability of the varied samples across countries.
International Journal of Medical Informatics
Interacting with Computers, 2023
Virtual work introduces distinct challenges when compared to face-to-face or on-site work. Commun... more Virtual work introduces distinct challenges when compared to face-to-face or on-site work. Communication and collaboration are key factors in team development and in team performance. When teamwork is of a global nature, imposed because of a pandemic, then additional variables are introduced into the equation. The challenges that global virtual teams (GVTs) encounter when communicating and developing in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic impacts how work is structured and teams develop. This qualitative study was conducted just over 1 year after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when working from home became mandatory and particular challenges for GVTs became apparent. Data are gathered through an online anonymous survey and followed by semi-structured video-mediated interviews with staff in a large multinational software development company. Findings show that GVTs encounter a number of distinct challenges than face-to-face teams. However, individuals are actively adapting to the situation in which they find themselves and are learning to deal with the challenges by being proactive. Even though the tools used previously may not be entirely suitable for virtual work, GVTs learn to change how tools are used to be more productive and collaborative. Challenges continue to exist in areas, such as knowledge gathering and knowledge sharing. Communication failures can lead to delays and confusion. The findings also indicate that even though GVTs are not communicating as much informally or socially with their colleagues because of remote working in the pandemic, being remote is not having a negative effect on the ability to get work done. Some aspects of team development can be negatively affected when working in GVTs. Impacts are identified relating to trust and relationship building, as well as being able to identify and resolve conflict. These results prompt further research opportunities as organizations and individuals continue to adapt and embrace global virtual teamwork.
Group Decision and Negotiation, 2009
Abstract Results of a study of multidisciplinary medical team meetings (MDTMs) are presented, wit... more Abstract Results of a study of multidisciplinary medical team meetings (MDTMs) are presented, with focus on information presentation, collaboration, sharing and decision-making issues. The MDTM forum is shown to be an important juncture in the patient care pathway ...
Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), 2006
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2013
Journal of Digital Imaging, 2021
As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important t... more As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important to understand the experiences of clinicians with medical imaging systems in order to guide future development. The objective of this paper was to explore health professionals’ experiences, practices and preferences when using Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS), to identify shortcomings in the existing technology and inform future developments. Semi-structured interviews are reported with 35 hospital-based healthcare professionals (3 interns, 11 senior health officers, 6 specialist registrars, 6 consultants, 2 clinical specialists, 5 radiographers, 1 sonographer, 1 radiation safety officer). Data collection took place between February 2019 and December 2020 and all data are analyzed thematically. A majority of clinicians report using PACS frequently (6+ times per day), both through dedicated PACS workstations, and through general-purpose desktop computers. Most clinicians ...
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2022
Background and purpose: Working collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team in the treatment and ... more Background and purpose: Working collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team in the treatment and care of cancer patients is proven effective in increasing the quality of patient care. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting (MDTM) is the main vehicle that facilitates this collaborative work between different healthcare specialities, and an appropriate meeting record is essential to communicate the meeting's outcomes. There is limited research to date regarding MDTM documentation, and here we report on a sample of healthcare professional's perspectives on current practices. Methodology: A survey, distributed to a purposive snowball sample, is used to collect the perceptions on recordkeeping at MDTMs from involved healthcare workers. The survey is descriptive and exploratory in nature and uses closed and open-ended questions offered in both English and Swedish. Results: With a response of 37 healthcare workers, several commonly understood practices of MDTMs are confirmed, documentation is mostly electronic, encompasses suggested information, and the record is mostly acceptable in quality. The issues of responsibility, registering attendance, and verification of documentation can be improved. Conclusion: Electronic documentation is a laudable step that shows advancement in MDTM record-keeping. The highlighted quality of the records suggests that MDTM proceedings are reasonably well documented. There remain some important questions, with regard to standardization, centralization, and the responsibility for record-keeping at MDTMs.
Journal of Digital Imaging, 2021
As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important t... more As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important to understand the experiences of clinicians with medical imaging systems in order to guide future development. The objective of this paper was to explore health professionals' experiences, practices and preferences when using Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS), to identify shortcomings in the existing technology and inform future developments. Semi-structured interviews are reported with 35 hospital-based healthcare professionals (3 interns, 11 senior health officers, 6 specialist registrars, 6 consultants, 2 clinical specialists, 5 radiographers, 1 sonographer, 1 radiation safety officer). Data collection took place between February 2019 and December 2020 and all data are analyzed thematically. A majority of clinicians report using PACS frequently (6+ times per day), both through dedicated PACS workstations, and through general-purpose desktop computers. Most clinicians report using basic features of PACS to view imaging and reports, and also to compare current with previous imaging, noting that they rarely use more advanced features, such as measuring. Usability is seen as a problem, including issues related to data privacy. More sustained training would help clinicians gain more value from PACS, particularly less experienced users. While the majority of clinicians report being unconcerned about sterility when accessing digital imaging, clinicians were open to the possibility of touchless operation using voice, and the ability to execute multiple commands with a single voice command would be welcomed.
Irish Journal of Medical Science, 2021
In recent years, telemedicine has been increasingly incorporated into medical practice, a process... more In recent years, telemedicine has been increasingly incorporated into medical practice, a process which has now been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As telemedicine continues to progress, it is necessary for medical institutions to incorporate telemedicine into their curricula, and to provide students with the necessary skills and experience to effectively carry out telemedicine consultations. The purposes of this study are to review the involvement of medical students with telemedicine and to determine both the benefits and the challenges experienced. A literature review on the MEDLINE; CINAHL Plus; APA PsychInfo; Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts; and Health Business Elite databases was performed on September 7, 2020, yielding 561 results. 33 manuscripts were analysed, with the main benefits and challenges experienced by medical students summarized. In addition to increasing their understanding of the importance of telemedicine and the acquisition of telemedicine-specific skills, students may use telemedicine to act as a valuable workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges that students face, such as discomfort with carrying out telemedicine consults and building rapport with patients, may be addressed through the incorporation of telemedicine teaching into the medical curricula through experiential learning. However, other more systemic challenges, such as technical difficulties and cost, need to be examined for the full benefits of telemedicine to be realized. Telemedicine is here to stay and has proven its worth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with medical students embracing its potential in assisting in medical clinics, simulation of clinical placements, and online classrooms.
FrontiersIn Computer Science, 2022
Preventing medical errors and improving patient health outcomes are challenges faced by healthcar... more Preventing medical errors and improving patient health outcomes are challenges faced by healthcare systems worldwide. Digitalization and the development of eHealth solutions are essential to enhance the quality of care and empower patients to engage actively in managing their
health, and collaboration with healthcare services. By adapting these solutions to the individual patient’s needs, we can achieve personalized digital health. Digital health and eHealth are often used interchangeably, and there is no real agreement on the scope or overlap of the concepts. In this
editorial, we use the concepts as synonyms. Over recent years, efforts have been made to develop digital health services that aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare through innovative approaches and strengthen the opportunities for self-care, self-management, and patient
participation. These eHealth services are increasing as a result of the patient empowerment and patients’ rights movements that campaign for easy access to medical data (Wiljer et al., 2008; Wass and Vimarlund, 2018; Bärkås et al., 2021), patient participation in their care (Riggare et al., 2019a), and in the design and improvement of the healthcare systems including eHealth services (Riggare et al., 2021).
XRDS: Crossroads, The ACM Magazine for Students, 2021
As sustainability chairs for key computing conferences, we explore the environmental impact of re... more As sustainability chairs for key computing conferences, we explore the environmental impact of research conferences, reflect on the complexities of making physical and virtual conferences sustainable, and discuss the environmental consequences of computing research itself.
2012 25th IEEE International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems (CBMS), 2012
JMIR Research Protocols
Background The development of mobile technology for information retrieval and communication, both... more Background The development of mobile technology for information retrieval and communication, both at individual and health organizational levels, has been extensive over the last decade. Mobile health (mHealth) technology is rapidly adapting to the health care service contexts to improve treatment, care, and effectiveness in health care services. Objective The overall aim of this scoping review is to explore the role of citizen-patient involvement in the development of mHealth technology in order to inform future interventions. By identifying key characteristics of citizen-patient involvement in system development, we aim to improve digital communication and collaboration between health care providers and citizen-patients, including sharing of health care data. Methods The systematic scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews by searching literature in 3 steps. We will include literature reporting on the public, citizens, and patients part...
Behaviour & Information Technology
2016 IEEE 29th International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems (CBMS), 2016
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2024
Introduction: Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EH... more Introduction: Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Providing good usability is especially challenging in the health care context, as there is a wide variety of patient users. Usability benchmarking is an approach for improving usability by evaluating and comparing the strength and weaknesses of systems. The main purpose of this study is to benchmark usability of patient portals across countries.
Methods: A mixed-methods survey approach was applied to benchmark the national patient portals offering patient access to EHR in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. These Nordic countries have similar public healthcare systems, and they are pioneers in offering patients access to EHR for several years. In a survey of 29,334 patients, both patients’ quantitative ratings of usability and their qualitative descriptions of very positive and very negative peak experiences of portal use were collected.
Results: The usability scores ranged from good to fair level of usability. The narratives of very positive and very negative experiences included the benefits of the patient portals and experienced usability issues. The regression analysis of results showed that very positive and negative experiences of patient portal use explain 19–35% of the variation of usability scores in the four countries. The percentage of patients who reported very positive or very negative experiences in each country was unrelated to the usability scores across countries.
Conclusions: The survey approach could be used to evaluate usability with a wide variety of users and it supported learning from comparison across the countries. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data provided an approximation of the level of the perceived usability, and identified usability issues to be improved and useful features that patients appreciate. Further work is needed to improve the comparability of the varied samples across countries.
Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Providing ... more Poor usability is a barrier to widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHR). Providing good usability is especially challenging in the health care context, as there is a wide variety of patient users. Usability benchmarking is an approach for improving usability by evaluating and comparing the strength and weaknesses of systems. The main purpose of this study is to benchmark usability of patient portals across countries. Methods: A mixed-methods survey approach was applied to benchmark the national patient portals offering patient access to EHR in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. These Nordic countries have similar public healthcare systems, and they are pioneers in offering patients access to EHR for several years. In a survey of 29,334 patients, both patients' quantitative ratings of usability and their qualitative descriptions of very positive and very negative peak experiences of portal use were collected. Results: The usability scores ranged from good to fair level of usability. The narratives of very positive and very negative experiences included the benefits of the patient portals and experienced usability issues. The regression analysis of results showed that very positive and negative experiences of patient portal use explain 19-35% of the variation of usability scores in the four countries. The percentage of patients who reported very positive or very negative experiences in each country was unrelated to the usability scores across countries. Conclusions: The survey approach could be used to evaluate usability with a wide variety of users and it supported learning from comparison across the countries. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data provided an approximation of the level of the perceived usability, and identified usability issues to be improved and useful features that patients appreciate. Further work is needed to improve the comparability of the varied samples across countries.
International Journal of Medical Informatics
Interacting with Computers, 2023
Virtual work introduces distinct challenges when compared to face-to-face or on-site work. Commun... more Virtual work introduces distinct challenges when compared to face-to-face or on-site work. Communication and collaboration are key factors in team development and in team performance. When teamwork is of a global nature, imposed because of a pandemic, then additional variables are introduced into the equation. The challenges that global virtual teams (GVTs) encounter when communicating and developing in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic impacts how work is structured and teams develop. This qualitative study was conducted just over 1 year after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when working from home became mandatory and particular challenges for GVTs became apparent. Data are gathered through an online anonymous survey and followed by semi-structured video-mediated interviews with staff in a large multinational software development company. Findings show that GVTs encounter a number of distinct challenges than face-to-face teams. However, individuals are actively adapting to the situation in which they find themselves and are learning to deal with the challenges by being proactive. Even though the tools used previously may not be entirely suitable for virtual work, GVTs learn to change how tools are used to be more productive and collaborative. Challenges continue to exist in areas, such as knowledge gathering and knowledge sharing. Communication failures can lead to delays and confusion. The findings also indicate that even though GVTs are not communicating as much informally or socially with their colleagues because of remote working in the pandemic, being remote is not having a negative effect on the ability to get work done. Some aspects of team development can be negatively affected when working in GVTs. Impacts are identified relating to trust and relationship building, as well as being able to identify and resolve conflict. These results prompt further research opportunities as organizations and individuals continue to adapt and embrace global virtual teamwork.
Group Decision and Negotiation, 2009
Abstract Results of a study of multidisciplinary medical team meetings (MDTMs) are presented, wit... more Abstract Results of a study of multidisciplinary medical team meetings (MDTMs) are presented, with focus on information presentation, collaboration, sharing and decision-making issues. The MDTM forum is shown to be an important juncture in the patient care pathway ...
Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), 2006
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2013
Journal of Digital Imaging, 2021
As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important t... more As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important to understand the experiences of clinicians with medical imaging systems in order to guide future development. The objective of this paper was to explore health professionals’ experiences, practices and preferences when using Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS), to identify shortcomings in the existing technology and inform future developments. Semi-structured interviews are reported with 35 hospital-based healthcare professionals (3 interns, 11 senior health officers, 6 specialist registrars, 6 consultants, 2 clinical specialists, 5 radiographers, 1 sonographer, 1 radiation safety officer). Data collection took place between February 2019 and December 2020 and all data are analyzed thematically. A majority of clinicians report using PACS frequently (6+ times per day), both through dedicated PACS workstations, and through general-purpose desktop computers. Most clinicians ...
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2022
Background and purpose: Working collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team in the treatment and ... more Background and purpose: Working collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team in the treatment and care of cancer patients is proven effective in increasing the quality of patient care. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting (MDTM) is the main vehicle that facilitates this collaborative work between different healthcare specialities, and an appropriate meeting record is essential to communicate the meeting's outcomes. There is limited research to date regarding MDTM documentation, and here we report on a sample of healthcare professional's perspectives on current practices. Methodology: A survey, distributed to a purposive snowball sample, is used to collect the perceptions on recordkeeping at MDTMs from involved healthcare workers. The survey is descriptive and exploratory in nature and uses closed and open-ended questions offered in both English and Swedish. Results: With a response of 37 healthcare workers, several commonly understood practices of MDTMs are confirmed, documentation is mostly electronic, encompasses suggested information, and the record is mostly acceptable in quality. The issues of responsibility, registering attendance, and verification of documentation can be improved. Conclusion: Electronic documentation is a laudable step that shows advancement in MDTM record-keeping. The highlighted quality of the records suggests that MDTM proceedings are reasonably well documented. There remain some important questions, with regard to standardization, centralization, and the responsibility for record-keeping at MDTMs.
Journal of Digital Imaging, 2021
As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important t... more As digital imaging is now a common and essential tool in the clinical workflow, it is important to understand the experiences of clinicians with medical imaging systems in order to guide future development. The objective of this paper was to explore health professionals' experiences, practices and preferences when using Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS), to identify shortcomings in the existing technology and inform future developments. Semi-structured interviews are reported with 35 hospital-based healthcare professionals (3 interns, 11 senior health officers, 6 specialist registrars, 6 consultants, 2 clinical specialists, 5 radiographers, 1 sonographer, 1 radiation safety officer). Data collection took place between February 2019 and December 2020 and all data are analyzed thematically. A majority of clinicians report using PACS frequently (6+ times per day), both through dedicated PACS workstations, and through general-purpose desktop computers. Most clinicians report using basic features of PACS to view imaging and reports, and also to compare current with previous imaging, noting that they rarely use more advanced features, such as measuring. Usability is seen as a problem, including issues related to data privacy. More sustained training would help clinicians gain more value from PACS, particularly less experienced users. While the majority of clinicians report being unconcerned about sterility when accessing digital imaging, clinicians were open to the possibility of touchless operation using voice, and the ability to execute multiple commands with a single voice command would be welcomed.
Irish Journal of Medical Science, 2021
In recent years, telemedicine has been increasingly incorporated into medical practice, a process... more In recent years, telemedicine has been increasingly incorporated into medical practice, a process which has now been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As telemedicine continues to progress, it is necessary for medical institutions to incorporate telemedicine into their curricula, and to provide students with the necessary skills and experience to effectively carry out telemedicine consultations. The purposes of this study are to review the involvement of medical students with telemedicine and to determine both the benefits and the challenges experienced. A literature review on the MEDLINE; CINAHL Plus; APA PsychInfo; Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts; and Health Business Elite databases was performed on September 7, 2020, yielding 561 results. 33 manuscripts were analysed, with the main benefits and challenges experienced by medical students summarized. In addition to increasing their understanding of the importance of telemedicine and the acquisition of telemedicine-specific skills, students may use telemedicine to act as a valuable workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges that students face, such as discomfort with carrying out telemedicine consults and building rapport with patients, may be addressed through the incorporation of telemedicine teaching into the medical curricula through experiential learning. However, other more systemic challenges, such as technical difficulties and cost, need to be examined for the full benefits of telemedicine to be realized. Telemedicine is here to stay and has proven its worth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with medical students embracing its potential in assisting in medical clinics, simulation of clinical placements, and online classrooms.
FrontiersIn Computer Science, 2022
Preventing medical errors and improving patient health outcomes are challenges faced by healthcar... more Preventing medical errors and improving patient health outcomes are challenges faced by healthcare systems worldwide. Digitalization and the development of eHealth solutions are essential to enhance the quality of care and empower patients to engage actively in managing their
health, and collaboration with healthcare services. By adapting these solutions to the individual patient’s needs, we can achieve personalized digital health. Digital health and eHealth are often used interchangeably, and there is no real agreement on the scope or overlap of the concepts. In this
editorial, we use the concepts as synonyms. Over recent years, efforts have been made to develop digital health services that aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare through innovative approaches and strengthen the opportunities for self-care, self-management, and patient
participation. These eHealth services are increasing as a result of the patient empowerment and patients’ rights movements that campaign for easy access to medical data (Wiljer et al., 2008; Wass and Vimarlund, 2018; Bärkås et al., 2021), patient participation in their care (Riggare et al., 2019a), and in the design and improvement of the healthcare systems including eHealth services (Riggare et al., 2021).
XRDS: Crossroads, The ACM Magazine for Students, 2021
As sustainability chairs for key computing conferences, we explore the environmental impact of re... more As sustainability chairs for key computing conferences, we explore the environmental impact of research conferences, reflect on the complexities of making physical and virtual conferences sustainable, and discuss the environmental consequences of computing research itself.
2012 25th IEEE International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems (CBMS), 2012
JMIR Research Protocols
Background The development of mobile technology for information retrieval and communication, both... more Background The development of mobile technology for information retrieval and communication, both at individual and health organizational levels, has been extensive over the last decade. Mobile health (mHealth) technology is rapidly adapting to the health care service contexts to improve treatment, care, and effectiveness in health care services. Objective The overall aim of this scoping review is to explore the role of citizen-patient involvement in the development of mHealth technology in order to inform future interventions. By identifying key characteristics of citizen-patient involvement in system development, we aim to improve digital communication and collaboration between health care providers and citizen-patients, including sharing of health care data. Methods The systematic scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews by searching literature in 3 steps. We will include literature reporting on the public, citizens, and patients part...
Behaviour & Information Technology
2016 IEEE 29th International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems (CBMS), 2016