User acceptance of clinical information systems: a methodological approach to identify the key dimensions allowing a reliable evaluation framework.

The introduction of Computerized Information Systems (CIS) in clinical settings encountered difficulties. These difficulties highlight the lack of understanding of factors and mechanisms influencing user acceptance. The existing tools and research obtained contradictory results that point out the existence of neglected aspects, such as impacts of CIS, in computer science developments in complex settings. This paper proposes to identify key dimensions which make up user acceptance in clinical settings through the union of three methods. They define five main dimensions which require a concrete evaluation to validate the underlying proposed framework and to complete the description of the acceptance phenomenon. Identifying key dimensions opens the gate to comparative evaluation of many CIS and adds new indicators to evaluate the highlighted dimensions. A long-term aim is the development of longitudinal studies and to state priorities and guidelines for new CIS designs.