title: A systems development life cycle approach to patient journey modeling projects.
abstract: Patient Journey Modeling, a relatively recent innovation in healthcare quality improvement, models the patient's movement through a Health Care Organisation (HCO) by viewing it from a patient centric perspective. A Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provides a standard project management framework that can improve the quality of information systems. The concept of following a consistent project management framework to boost quality outcomes can be applied equally to healthcare improvement. This paper describes a SDLC designed specifically for the health care domain and in particular patient journey modeling projects. It goes on to suggest that such a framework can be used to compliment the dominant healthcare improvement method, the Model for Improvement. The key contribution of this paper is the introduction of a project management framework in the form of an SDLC that can be used by non-professional computer developers (ie: health care staff), to improve the consistency and quality of outcomes for patient journey redesign projects. Experiences of applying the SDLC in a midwife-led primary-care maternity services environment are discussed. The project team found the steps logical and easy to follow and produced demonstrable improvement results along with ongoing goal-focused action plans.
authors.affiliation: Health Informatics Research, University of Western Sydney, Australia. jm.curry@uws.edu.au
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tracy
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010346:Patient Care Management; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013597:Systems Analysis; D013598:Systems Theory