Relevant Patient Data for Health Information Exchange: A Delphi Method Study among Occupational Health Professionals

Abstract

Objective: To examine which data on patients’ primary care visits are considered relevant for documentation in the electronic records of occupational health services, to enable health information exchange between occupational health care professionals, the employee, employer, other health care professionals, and social insurance system actors. Methods: We used the Delphi method to evaluate which electronic health data are considered relevant for patient health information exchange by 37 occupational health team members (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists). The surveys were conducted in three rounds. The response rates to the consecutive electronic questionnaires were 76%, 73% and 73%. We used content analysis to analyze the data. Results: The most relevant electronic patient data for health information exchange were individual action plans and their follow-ups, work-related primary care visits, professional assessment of employee's work capacity and the ability to cope at work, and work-related diseases and reported symptoms. Conclusion: The results show that occupational health professionals considered structurally documented electronic health records relevant for patient health information exchange between occupational health services and the employee, employer, other health care professionals and social insurance system actors. The National Patient Data Repository (Kanta) was considered one means with which to implement electronic health records in occupational health services. These results can be used in the further development of data structures and information exchange in occupational health services.