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Methods Inf Med 2008; 47(05): 435-442
DOI: 10.3414/ME0516
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Research Themes and Trends in Health Information Systems

W. Raghupathi
1   Fordham University, New York, USA
,
S. Nerur
2   University of Texas at Arlington, Texas, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 21 November 2007

accepted: 29 February 2008

Publication Date:
20 January 2018 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: The health information systems (HIS) field is characterized as being associated with health care and information systems. Drawing on several disciplines, a body of knowledge has come together that help define the core internal structure of the field. This study attempts to identify the emerging sub-fields using the bibliometric technique of author-cocitation analysis.

Methods: Co-citation data for members of editorial boards of several health information systems journals for the period of 1998-2006 was collected and analyzed (N = 166). We performed numerous multivariate analyses, including cluster analysis, factor analysis and multidimensional scaling to extract the sub-fields.

Results: Our findings indicate the presence of several strong sub-fields, including HIS evaluation, communication and e-health, and clinical DSS. In addition, we identified other sub-fields that are distinct but still emerging, such as adoption, outcome and policy, and use and impact of HIS. The study also confirms the existence of several historical sub-fields and contrasts technology-oriented sub-fields with managementoriented sub-fields. Topics on the periphery of HIS provide links to other disciplines as well.

Conclusions: The study provides a unique perspective on the field of HIS, and the results indicate opportunities for further research that explores collaborations and social networks among the sub-fields.

Keywords

Author co-citation analysis (ACA) - bibliometrics - field - health information system (HIS) - sub-field
 

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