Introduction
Digital health is a critical driver of quality, safety, and efficiency in healthcare. However, poor quality of clinical information in Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) can compromise the quality and safety of care. This study aims to develop a framework that can be used to assess the quality of clinical information in DHTs.
Methods
A systematic review of information quality frameworks was conducted to identify, define, and integrate information quality dimensions that are relevant to assessing clinical information in DHTs. Qualitative synthesis of 10 existing information quality frameworks resulted in the Clinical Information Quality (CLIQ) framework. The CLIQ framework was revised in an international eDelphi study among 35 clinicians with varying digital health expertise. The framework was then validated based on pilot assessment of clinical information in SystmOne Electronic Health Records (EHRs) by 109 healthcare professionals in the UK.
Results
The CLIQ framework integrates 3 categories of information quality dimensions: informativeness (accuracy, completeness, interpretability, plausibility, relevance, and trustworthiness); availability (accessibility, portability, searchability, security, and timeliness); and usability (conformance, consistency of presentation, and maintainability). The CLIQ framework reached a high expert consensus and demonstrated a high reliability with a modest construct validity.
Conclusion
This thesis highlights the importance of information quality and its relevance to the quality and safety of care. The CLIQ framework offers a pragmatic approach to assessing the quality of clinical information in DHTs and can be used as part of the information quality assurance systems to maintain information quality of DHTs. Informatics training for health care professionals, automated error detection systems and integration of digital health systems can improve the quality of clinical information in DHTs...