Table 3.

Table 3. Theme 3—Physicians’ Management of Clinical Information: Representative Observations and Quotations from Interviews

Categories	Observation or Quotation
Category 1: Multiple information sources	“She writes in the notes of the bed 1 patient. Goes to the whiteboard and rubs out some of the things next to the bed 7 patient … then she goes to see the patient in bed 7 … comes back … gets the bed 7 medication charts … gets MIMS and looks up the medication, continues writing in medication chart … uses Powerchart ∗ to view results … writes in notes … uses HAS for patient 1 and enters the diagnosis … writes a script for bed 1 patient and prints a discharge letter.” [Hospital B ED observation]
Category 2: Duplication of information	“Between the medical record, Powerchart ∗ and memory aides there is duplication of information and duplication of effort.” [Hospital A hematology ward observation]
	“Transcribing test results from Powerchart ∗ into the medical record.” [Hospital B ED observation]
	“Nurses check results and document in notes if abnormal result. There is discussion about whether to document in notes—some see it as duplication as everything is supposed to be in Powerchart ∗ whereas I think the abnormal results should be documented.” [Hospital B ED nurse interview]
Category 3: Paper memory aides	“I use the patient list because I can look quickly if a consultant asks me a question, and I can look at home if wanting to check something.” [Hospital A hematology physician interview]
	“It reminds me of the patients I am looking after and I can make notes during ward rounds.” [Hospital A hematology physician interview]
	“Don’t need memory aides in ED as they diagnose, treat and transfer quickly.” [Hospital A ED observation]

^∗ Powerchart is the application name of the test management software.

Abbreviations: HAS = Emergency Department ‘stand alone’ information system; ED = Emergency Department.