Design of an Information System for Palliative Care: User Analysis.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: To explore the demographic factors and the level of knowledge related to information and communication technologies of potential users of a palliative care information system. METHODS: The Task, User, Representation, Functionality (TURF) framework was applied to characterize potential users (patients and caregivers) of an information system for palliative care in a private clinic in Medellin, Colombia, through a survey. RESULTS: We analyzed 35 patients and 39 caregivers. The majority were women, that lived in urban area and belonged to middle-income socioeconomic stratum. Caregivers, in contrast to patients, are common users of information and communication technologies. CONCLUSION: An information system should focus on the needs of caregivers, and it would be targeted to subjects facing challenges related to technology adoption; information and communication technologies are interesting and important tools for the improvement of health team.