Development of a hospital online Knowledge Repository

This paper presents development and implementation of an online ‘Knowledge Repository’ at a university teaching hospital. The project was undertaken by the department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering in Galway University Hospital as part of strategy for knowledge management and continuous professional development. The system was developed using freeware content management software, Drupal(TM). The core project objective was to provide a mechanism to communicate and assess employees' tacit and explicit knowledge so that colleagues can make use of it to be more effective and productive in their work. Online knowledge repositories are in wide spread use in industry, but uptake in the healthcare environment has been slow. This presentation describes both the technical and organisational issues surrounding the development and implementation of the system. How the DeLone and McLean (2003) ‘Model of Information System Success’ was used as the basis for semi-structured interviews, and survey of the system users and potential users, throughout the development and pilot testing of the knowledge repository. The presentation demonstrates how the DeLone and McLean model may be used as a useful project management tool that aligns technical design and support issues for the users. This in turn provides a means to assess both the individual and organisational benefits that may accrue from the knowledge repository. The presentation also discusses further uses within the clinical environment. Reference DeLone, W.H. and McLean, E.R. (2003). The DeLone and McLean Model of Information Systems Success: A ten-year update. Journal of Management Information Systems. 19, 4, 9-30