A socio-technical assessment of the success of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems: the radiology technologist's perspective.
BACKGROUND
With the increasing prevalence of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) in healthcare institutions, there is a growing need to measure their success. However, there is a lack of published literature emphasizing the technical and social factors underlying a successful PACS.


METHODS
An updated Information Systems Success Model was utilized by radiology technologists (RTs) to evaluate the success of PACS at a large medical center in Taiwan. A survey, consisting of 109 questionnaires, was analyzed by Structural Equation Modeling.


RESULTS
Socio-technical factors (including system quality, information quality, service quality, perceived usefulness, user satisfaction, and PACS dependence) were proven to be effective measures of PACS success. Although the relationship between service quality and perceived usefulness was not significant, other proposed relationships amongst the six measurement parameters of success were all confirmed.


CONCLUSIONS
Managers have an obligation to improve the attributes of PACS. At the onset of its deployment, RTs will have formed their own subjective opinions with regards to its quality (system quality, information quality, and service quality). As these personal concepts are either refuted or reinforced based on personal experiences, RTs will become either satisfied or dissatisfied with PACS, based on their perception of its usefulness or lack of usefulness. A satisfied RT may play a pivotal role in the implementation of PACS in the future.
Department of Healthcare Administration, I-Shou University, No,8, Yida Rd,, Yanchao District, 82445 Kaohsiung, Taiwan. kuangmingkuo@gmail.com.
Wen-Sheng
WS
Tzeng
Kuang-Ming
KM
Kuo
Huang-Wei
HW
Lin
Tai-Yuan
TY
Chen
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013624:Taiwan; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000592:standards*; D000078329:Workforce