Does interprofessional communication change after introducing EPR? A qualitative network analysis: Presenter(s): Kerstin Dittmer, University of Cologne, Germany

Communication between healthcare professionals is critical to patient safety and highly influenced by digital transformation. We are using the innovative research method of qualitative network analysis to investigate the research question whether communication patterns change as a result of the introduction of EPR in hospitals. We assume that communication channels and partners are changing due to the digital possibility. Messages may lack details (e.g., regarding urgency) or have a higher degree of standardization (e.g., based on text modules). Three case studies are conducted, one with pre-post design and two cross-sectional. All cases represent different hospital wards within one German University Hospital. In the first step, we collect data by observing healthcare professionals (expected N=45) in the form of shadowing. For each observation, we write a protocol and code the actors and communication channels. The codes are used to create a network map for each observation. At the end of the observation period, the network maps for each professional group are aggregated into one network map, which is presented to the corresponding professional group within interviews (expected N=14) and validated by them. The final data collection will be completed until summer. Preliminary analyses show clear dominance of oral communication channels, even after introduction of EPR. With and without EPR, we see key professionals transmitting information between several actors, showing the importance of information mediators for clinical communication. As shown in the study in hand, observations provide viable data to create network maps which offer insights in clinical communication patterns. The results highlight the complexity of clinical communication. This complexity might be a reason for the persistent dominance of oral communication channels and small changes in communication patterns. In this context, oral communication seems to contribute to patient safety from the perception of healthcare professionals.