Expanding healthcare practice: forms of meta-work generated when healthcare processes are digitalised

Littlejohn, Allison; Charitonos, Koula and Kaatrakoski, Heli (2023). Expanding healthcare practice: forms of meta-work generated when healthcare processes are digitalised. In: EARLI2023 Conference, 22-26 Aug 2023, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Abstract

Digitalisation of health sectors is important for social transformation in areas of health that relate to major global health challenges where fast and decisive action is needed. However, digitalisation places demands on professionals expertise by generating new forms of unseen work, termed meta-work. These forms of work are important to ensure new practices and ways of working are enabled, yet remarkably little is known about them. This study examines the evolution of healthworkers practices during the digitalisation of health sectors in three low-and-middle-income countries. We examine forms of meta-work needed to support these new practices, including building good relationships in ways that support work across disciplinary boundaries. These forms of meta-work take time and effort and are important for the expansion of practice so it is vital they are recognised and supported through policy. Organisations need to find ways to encourage dialogue across sites to acknowledge forms of meta-work then take steps to support these as authentic and valid forms of professional practice.

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