Table 1 Structural and contextual variables and their expected influence on EHR adoption
Variable | Description | Hypothesis |
|---|---|---|
Horizontal specialisation | The division of work is negotiated between the various specialties rather than on a hierarchical basis. | 1. Horizontal specialisation has a negative influence on EHR adoption. |
Functional differentiation | Differentiation, i.e., how the work is divided, is based upon production units, or fields of expertise. | 2. The influence of functional differentiation on EHR adoption depends on groups' values towards the system. |
Decentralisation of power | Informal power is both vertically and horizontally decentralised. Power is dispersed towards the bottom of the hierarchical chain and professionals exert a control over decision processes. | 3. Decentralisation of power has a variable influence on EHR adoption, depending on professionals' values towards the technology. |
Size | Hospital size has usually been measured as the number of beds. In the case of other organisations, number of physicians. | 4. Larger organisations are more likely to adopt EHR. |
Competition | The number of hospitals in the health region. | 5. Organisations in regions where there are other hospitals are more likely to adopt HER. |
Localisation | Health care organisations in the Province of Quebec are located in urban, outlying, remote, or isolated regions. | 6. Organisations located in remote and isolated regions are less likely to adopt EHR. |
Teaching status | Organisations with a teaching status have a larger network because of the presence physicians and residents from university hospitals. | 7. Organisations with a teaching status are more likely to adopt EHR. |