E-health and value co-creation: The case of electronic medical record in an italian academic integrated hospital

Abstract

The objective of the paper is to study the use of service science to create a systematic service innovation in the health environment. Starting from the basic abstraction of service science, which is considered as value co-creation when people, technology and value propositions are connected by internal and external service systems and shared information [1], the paper aims to explain the benefits of the electronic medical record (EMR) and its business and organizational impacts in an Italian Academic Integrated Hospital. The research method is based on a case study and on connected semi-structured interviews. The qualitative study shows the co-created value, i.e. the impacts of introduction and development (consolidation) of EMR on efficacy and efficiency of the organization, on data collection and processing, error reduction, sustainability of SSN (national health service) and especially the better quality of services to the citizens.