MASTER Assignment
The difference in the perception of the information technology and security risks of Epic between the literature and practice
Type : Master M-BIT
Period: Feb, 2023 - Sep, 2023
Student : Go, M.L. (Magdali, Student M-BIT)
Date Final project: September 8, 2023
Supervisors:
Abstract:
Electronic Health Records systems are one of the most vital systems in hospitals, containing all the medical records of its patients. The information technology and security risks of such a system should therefore be well known, both in literature and in practice. This qualitative study determined the difference between the perceived risks of the Electronic Health Records system Epic in literature and in practice. In this study a systematic literature research was conducted, as well as semi-structured interviews with hospital staff members who provide operational support to the system. The aim of this study was not only to determine the differences between literature and practice, but also to determine the shortcomings that both have in their risk perception. The results show literature fails to give the full context of a risk, only giving a general description with worst-case scenarios to illustrate the impact a risk can have. Participants, on the other hand, provided detailed descriptions of risks. They explained how and why a risks manifested, and gave examples of risk manifestations that did not have a severe impact but did occur often. Next to that, participants stated which measures hospitals take to prevent risks, which was often lacking in literature.