Xiangzhu Gao

Current Status, Challenges, and Outlook of E-Health Record Systems in Australia

Australia is among a few countries that have developed national electronic health (e-health) record systems. From July 1, 2012, Australians can register with the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (PCEHR) system. Development of e-health systems is supported by stakeholders in Australia, however, the PCEHR system has been widely criticized. For the establishment of a matured e-health record system, this paper examines current status of Australia’s development of e-health record systems, identifies the challenges encountered by the development, and analyses the outlook of the PCEHR system.

Factors influencing the adoption of Enterprise Social Software in Australia

Purpose: The aim of this research is to determine the significant factors leading to the adoption of Enterprise Social Software in Australian organisations. The research question is: What are the significant adoption factors of Enterprise Social Software in Australia? Design/methodology/approach: Technology Acceptance Model is adapted for this research to determine the significant adoption factors of Enterprise Social Software. An online questionnaire was distributed among Australian knowledge workers, garnered more than 300 responses, and the results were analysed through Structural Equation Modelling. Findings: The structural model suggests that significant factors influencing the adoption of Enterprise Social Software are External Variables including Individual Factors, Organisational Factors, Task Complexity, Organisational Culture, and Knowledge Strategy, and perceptions of the system including Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. Practical implications: Organisations which desire increased adoption of Enterprise Social Software are recommended to apply conducive strategies around intrinsic variables (Individual Factors, Organisational Culture), as well as extrinsic variables (Task Complexity, Knowledge Strategy), which in turn will positively influence perceptions of usefulness and ease of use, and subsequently positively influence the decision to adopt Enterprise Social Software. Originality/value: In summary, the research determined significant factors to the adoption of Enterprise Social Software in Australia. The discussion emphasised the importance of External Variables as indirect, but highly influential, factors to the adoption of this technology, which are leveraged through Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use. By improving our understanding of these factors, we are in position to improve the adoption rates of Enterprise Social Software as a representation of the next generation Knowledge Management Systems.

Examining the Adoption and Use of Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) System Among Australian Consumers: A Preliminary Study

This study looks at the adoption and use of Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) system among consumers (individual users) in Australia. The specific aim of this study is to examine the current status of adoption and continued use of the PCEHR system among consumers in Australia. An online questionnaire survey was conducted, and 110 valid responses were received. The results of this study could contribute to the success of the ongoing roll-out of the PCEHR system in Australia and further studies in adoption and contused use of the system.

Understanding Individual Users’ Perspectives on the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) System: Results of Field Study

This study explores the understanding of and the current status of adoption and use of the personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) system among Australian consumers and aims to identify concerns/issues associated with the PCEHR system and factors influencing their decision regarding adoption and use of the PCEHR system. A qualitative field study was undertaken, in which 30 individuals/consumers were interviewed. The outcomes of this study have both theoretical and practical implications to the Australian Government’s ongoing implementation of the PCEHR system.

Testing a Model of Adoption and Continued Use of Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) System Among Australian Consumers: A Preliminary Study

This study aims to investigate factors influencing adoption and continued use of PCEHR system among consumers (individual users) in Australia. The data collected via online questionnaire survey were analysed via a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. The results indicate that: (1) “External Factors & Influences” and “Individual Differences” are significant factors that influence “Perceived Benefits” of the PCEHR system, which in turn influence adoption of the PCEHR system; (2) “External Factors & Influences”, “Individual Differences”, and “PCEHR System Characteristics” are significant factors that influence “Perceived User Friendliness” of the PCEHR system, which in turn influence adoption of PCEHR system; (3) “Facilitating Factors” are significant factors that influence both “Realized Benefits” and “Realized User Friendliness”, which in turn influence continued use of PCEHR system; and (4) “Voluntariness of Adoption” and “Voluntariness of Continued Use” are significant factors that influence both adoption and continued use of the PCEHR system respectively.

Exploring Individuals’ Perceptions on Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System

This research explores enablers for and obstacles to the acceptance and use of the Australian Government Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) system and provides recommendations drawn from surveys from existing and potential individual users of the system. The results of the study indicate that the participants’ major concerns are data security and information privacy. Participants value the importance of governance. They expect more benefits from the PCEHR system than traditional health records. They also expect a quality system that operates normally, a simple system that they can register and learn, and a usable system that they can use easily. The system needs efforts from stakeholders including individuals, health care providers, the Australian Government, legal professionals and system developers to satisfy individuals’ expectations, and resolve the issues of the concerns.

Applying Enterprise Social Software for Knowledge Management

This paper investigates the application of Enterprise Social Software for knowledge management in Australia. The Enterprise Social Software researched here assisted in collaborative knowledge sharing to support data-driven decision making. Enterprise Social Software was beneficial for complex tasks, especially those that involved a wide range of collaborators such as multi-disciplinary teams or geographically distant users. Australian knowledge workers found Enterprise Social Software to be extremely helpful in enhancing their externalisation and combination, but less proficient in socialisation and internalisation. In overall, there was agreement among respondents that Enterprise Social Software was facilitating them to meet work requirements which would be very hard or impossible to deliver without. The findings highlight Enterprise Social Software as a technological platform that diffuses the task complexity facing knowledge workers in Australia as a representation of the next generation Knowledge Management Systems.

Current Status, Challenges and Outlook of E-health Record Systems in China

China (the mainland) is a developing country with a large population over a vast area, where healthcare services are not balanced. The Chinese government faces a mammoth task to provide health and medical services to the population. About eight years ago, the government defined its direction to electronic health (e-health). Since then, hundreds of e-health record systems have been developed, but the systems are still in their infancy. For the establishment of matured e-health record systems, this paper examines current status of China’s development of e-health record systems, identifies the challenges encountered by the development and analyses the outlook of future systems in China.