Assessing the business value of Australia’s national e-health solution.

Abstract

The objective of this study, which represents part of a bigger research project, is to evaluate the business value of the Australian national eHealth initiative, namely My Health Records (previously the personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR)). This research is predominantly qualitative, with data collected through a series of semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders of My Health Records, a survey that targeted the users of the system (Australia citizens), another survey that targeted the health services providers, including general practitioners (GPs), specialised doctors, nurses, and other physicians. To evaluate the business value of the PCEHR, we use the model of Business Value of IT in Healthcare. Our findings show that the My Health Records has the potential to provide quality, continuous, safe, and un-fragmented healthcare delivery, subject to a number of technological, organisational, and human requirements.