Healthcare information system support for leadership and management: Experiences of Finnish physician leaders by specialty from three cross-sectional surveys in 2014, 2017, and 2021

Abstract

Introduction

In addition to their role in patient care, health information systems (HISs) produce data for process and quality monitoring, resource management, and strategic planning. However, few studies have focused on physician leaders as end users of leadership and management information systems (LMISs).

Objective

The aim was to describe physician leaders’ experiences with LMISs by specialty group from three national usability-focused surveys.

Methods

The data were gathered via web-based questionnaires in 2014, 2017, and 2021 with 716, 728, and 831 physician leader respondents, respectively. The 2021 responses were compared across six specialty groups: operative, (non-surgical) medical, psychiatric, and diagnostic specialties, and general practice and occupational healthcare. Those not specialized or whose specialty was unknown formed the seventh group. Moreover, the results from the three study timepoints were compared within specialty groups.

Results

In 2021, 69.4%–84.2% indicated that they had to compile leadership and management data from several sources with 3.6%–23.7% finding this process easy. Furthermore, 3.7%–34.2% viewed that the available data supported research and innovation. Physician leaders in operative and diagnostic specialties and occupational healthcare appeared more satisfied with LMISs than did their colleagues in other specialties; for example, 41.9%–56.8% of these respondents considered that HISs help to monitor achieving the targets of their units, compared to 21.7%–34.5% in other specialties. Between the study years, the proportion of those content with LIMSs support for steering daily activities had increased, particularly in operative and medical specialties and general practice; otherwise, though overall improvements were modest.

Conclusion

Despite the wide availability of HISs and LMISs, their full potential to support physician leadership and management has not yet been fulfilled. Physician leaders working in diagnostic, operative, and occupational healthcare specialties appeared to derive the most benefit from LMISs.