Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod Study
BackgroundTimely and comprehensive diagnostic image sharing across institutional and regional boundaries can produce multiple benefits while supporting integrated models of care. In Ontario, Canada, the Diagnostic Imaging Common Service (DICS) was created as a centralized imaging repository to enabl...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2020-07-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2020/7/e17220 |
| _version_ | 1818565399301586944 |
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| author | Wickerson, Lisa Fujioka, Jamie K Kishimoto, Vanessa Jamieson, Trevor Fine, Ben Bhatia, R Sacha Desveaux, Laura |
| author_facet | Wickerson, Lisa Fujioka, Jamie K Kishimoto, Vanessa Jamieson, Trevor Fine, Ben Bhatia, R Sacha Desveaux, Laura |
| author_sort | Wickerson, Lisa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundTimely and comprehensive diagnostic image sharing across institutional and regional boundaries can produce multiple benefits while supporting integrated models of care. In Ontario, Canada, the Diagnostic Imaging Common Service (DICS) was created as a centralized imaging repository to enable the sharing and viewing of diagnostic images and associated reports across hospital-based and community-based clinicians throughout the province.
ObjectiveThe aims of this study were as follows: (1) to explore real-world utilization and perceived clinical value of the DICS following the provision of system-wide access and (2) to identify strategies to optimize the technology platform functionality and encourage adoption.
MethodsThis multimethod study included semistructured interviews with physicians and administrative stakeholders and descriptive analysis of the
current DICS usage data.
ResultsIn this study, 41 participants were interviewed, that is, 34 physicians and 7 administrative stakeholders. The following 4 key themes emerged: (1) utilization of the DICS depended on the awareness of the technology and the preferred channels for accessing images, which varied widely, (2) clinical responsibilities and available institutional resources were the drivers of utilization (or lack thereof), (3) centralized image repositories were perceived to offer value at the patient, clinician, and health care system levels, and (4) the enabling factors to realize value included aspects of technology infrastructure (ie, available functionality) alongside policy supports. High-volume DICS usage was not evenly distributed throughout the province.
ConclusionsSuboptimal adoption of the DICS was driven by poor awareness and variations in the clinical workflow. Alignment with physician workflow, policy supports, and investment in key technological features and infrastructure would improve functionality and data comprehensiveness, thereby optimizing health system performance, patient and provider experience, population health, and health care costs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T01:40:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3276bd4b6b1c42e7961df22ec61cb75d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T01:40:49Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-3276bd4b6b1c42e7961df22ec61cb75d2022-12-21T23:21:44ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2020-07-0147e1722010.2196/17220Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod StudyWickerson, LisaFujioka, Jamie KKishimoto, VanessaJamieson, TrevorFine, BenBhatia, R SachaDesveaux, LauraBackgroundTimely and comprehensive diagnostic image sharing across institutional and regional boundaries can produce multiple benefits while supporting integrated models of care. In Ontario, Canada, the Diagnostic Imaging Common Service (DICS) was created as a centralized imaging repository to enable the sharing and viewing of diagnostic images and associated reports across hospital-based and community-based clinicians throughout the province. ObjectiveThe aims of this study were as follows: (1) to explore real-world utilization and perceived clinical value of the DICS following the provision of system-wide access and (2) to identify strategies to optimize the technology platform functionality and encourage adoption. MethodsThis multimethod study included semistructured interviews with physicians and administrative stakeholders and descriptive analysis of the current DICS usage data. ResultsIn this study, 41 participants were interviewed, that is, 34 physicians and 7 administrative stakeholders. The following 4 key themes emerged: (1) utilization of the DICS depended on the awareness of the technology and the preferred channels for accessing images, which varied widely, (2) clinical responsibilities and available institutional resources were the drivers of utilization (or lack thereof), (3) centralized image repositories were perceived to offer value at the patient, clinician, and health care system levels, and (4) the enabling factors to realize value included aspects of technology infrastructure (ie, available functionality) alongside policy supports. High-volume DICS usage was not evenly distributed throughout the province. ConclusionsSuboptimal adoption of the DICS was driven by poor awareness and variations in the clinical workflow. Alignment with physician workflow, policy supports, and investment in key technological features and infrastructure would improve functionality and data comprehensiveness, thereby optimizing health system performance, patient and provider experience, population health, and health care costs.https://formative.jmir.org/2020/7/e17220 |
| spellingShingle | Wickerson, Lisa Fujioka, Jamie K Kishimoto, Vanessa Jamieson, Trevor Fine, Ben Bhatia, R Sacha Desveaux, Laura Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod Study JMIR Formative Research |
| title | Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod Study |
| title_full | Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod Study |
| title_fullStr | Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod Study |
| title_short | Utility and Perceived Value of a Provincial Digital Diagnostic Imaging Repository: Multimethod Study |
| title_sort | utility and perceived value of a provincial digital diagnostic imaging repository multimethod study |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2020/7/e17220 |
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