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Abstract
This study proposes a prototype framework (THEMIS) for estimating algebraically the success (S) of the electronic health collaborative services (e-HCS) and examines two hypotheses: first, that the S estimation of an e-HCS, developed by a third-party vendor, demands a ‘shrunk formative model’ and second that causal relationships between the involved dimensions (FFP, CO, COSTS) do exist, and their parameters affect the S – from weakly to strongly and vice-versa. A formative model was shrunk to generate three causal dimensions (‘Collaborators Objections’, ‘Costs’, ‘Fitness for Purpose’). Then, the new framework (THEMIS) was enriched with a causal loop diagram, a prototype scoring method, (termed ‘polarisation method’) and 42 questions. In order to investigate the feasibility of the THEMIS framework, we estimated the S of 15 e-HCSs and the algebraic outcomes (ES) were compared – one by one – with usage categories produced by a commercial software. Our findings supported the initial hypotheses. The S was estimated with accuracy; for the e-HCSs with a weak ES the commercial software verified that they remained idle several times during the 11-month evaluation period, whereas the e-HCS with a strong ES the commercial software verified that they were used frequently. Frameworks, such as the one proposed, which are based on both qualitative and quantitative methods, may provide significant support on the S estimation field.
Acknowledgement
The present framework took its name ‘THEMIS’ from Greek mythology. According to the ancient Greeks, THEMIS was the goddess of Justice. A common representation of Themis is a blind-folded woman holding a set of scales. Her ability to foresee the future enabled her to become one of the oracles at Delphi, which in turn led to her establishment as the goddess of divine justice.