An Epidemic of Pain in an Australian Radiology Practice: Modelling, Coding and Operationalising the Four Dimensions of the Social Actor Framework

Information systems in the healthcare sector are often critical applications upon which both healthcare workers and patients rely for expedient service. In the radiology industry, the reliance on technology is high and the search for software and systems that allow for the timely process of patient diagnosis is of the utmost importance. However, empirical evidence has shown that, in the medical field, the use of enterprise-wide systems has been problematic and further research is needed into health information systems (HIS) usage and assimilation issues. Thus, this research addresses the research questions of: What are the enablers and inhibitors in the assimilation of a new ICT in radiology practices? and How useful are the four dimensions of the social actor model in illuminating the microand macro-level constructs and contexts that impact on HIS assimilation in the healthcare industry? Based on the research questions, four research issues were developed to illuminate the appropriateness of the four dimensions of the social actor framework: 1). Do the affiliations of an organisation influence ICT assimilation and further use in the healthcare industry? 2). Does the organisational environment, including the level of institutional and technological pressures that influence the organisation, impact on ICT assimilation and further use in the healthcare industry? 3). Do the internal and external interactions of an organisation influence ICT assimilation and further use in the healthcare industry? and 4). Do the identities of social actors influence ICT assimilation and further use in the healthcare industry?Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2009