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Dr Ping Yu (right) and Masters student Esther Munyisia with their Don... |
Health Informatics researchers win 2008 Don Walker Award for ‘Access’
Dr Ping Yu and her research Masters student Ms Esther Munyisia from the School of Information Systems and Technology have won the 2008 Don Walker Award - Access for their scientific report to this year’s Health Informatics Conference.
Dr Don Walker is a pioneer in the application of computers in Australian health care.
It is in his spirit of continuous innovation that the Health Informatics Society of Australia (HISA) has established three categories of award: effectiveness, efficiency and access.
The award category 'access' is established to award successful application of health informatics in (1) emerging and underdeveloped economies; (2) underserved social and economic groups; and (3) remote/rural communities.
The award winning report was entitled, "The Change of Documentation Time Associated with the Introduction of an Electronic Documentation System in a Nursing Home".
It reported the findings of a systematic, observational study of the whole care team's work activities before and after the introduction of a computerised documentation system in a nursing home. The research was the first of its kind conducted in an aged care facility.
The findings demonstrate the impact of health IT solutions on caregivers’ work practice and efficiency. It provides sound evidence that will shape the management strategies and practices in introducing health IT solutions in health and aged care organisations.
Dr Yu has been steadily progressing her research agenda of evaluating social technical issues driving the adoption of information and communication technology by health and aged care organisations and workers.
The award follows the success of her report on "capacity and willingness of residential aged care workers to use IT to manage care information" launched by the Minister of Ageing in 2005.
In 2007, Dr Yu was awarded an ARC Linkage Grant, in collaboration with five aged care organisations across three states, to evaluate the success factors for introducing computerised documentation system in residential aged care.
The latest award was presented in front of an audience of more than 500 health IT experts at the gala dinner for the Health Informatics Conference 2008 held in the Melbourne Convention Centre.
The annual conference is the national forum for IT companies engaging in health care, government and organisational health information managers and practitioners, along with academic researchers to meet to exchange news and experiences in health IT R&D and management.
Dr Yu and Ms Munyisia received a trophy and $1,000 sponsored by Intel in recognition of their achievement.