Methodology for Care Processes Modelling: Bringing the Health Care Complexity into Health IT Development

Health Information Technology is recognized as a solution to manage health care and improve the quality of care. However; health IT has only proven its full potential and benefits in specific fields. The aim of this paper; is to propose a methodology to comprehensively model care processes to establish a basis to define health IT requirements. The proposed methodology was successfully implemented in a University Hospital in Norway. By applying the suggested three stage methodology; it was possible to identify the cause for elective surgery cancellations at this hospital. Additionally; the preoperative planning process was modeled; and its complexity described. It is concluded that the design of health IT should not done by computer scientist alone. An interdisciplinary team is required to tackle the idiosyncrasies of care processes.