Methodology
Development and evaluation of a computer-based medical work assessment programme
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* Corresponding author: Stefanie Mache stefanie.mache@charite.de
1 Institute of Occupational Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Free University and Humboldt University, Thielallee 69-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
2 Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
3 Department of Medicine/Psychosomatics, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Free University and Humboldt University, Luisenstrasse 13a, 10117 Berlin, Germany
4 The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317 Berlin, Germany
5 City Hospital Emil von Behring/Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, Walterhöferstrasse 11, 14165 Berlin, Germany
6 Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance in the Health and Welfare Services, Pappelallee 35/37, 22089 Hamburg, Germany
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 2008, 3:35 doi:10.1186/1745-6673-3-35
Published: 18 December 2008Abstract
Background
There are several ways to conduct a job task analysis in medical work environments including pencil-paper observations, interviews and questionnaires. However these methods implicate bias problems such as high inter-individual deviations and risks of misjudgement. Computer-based observation helps to reduce these problems. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the development process of a computer-based job task analysis instrument for real-time observations to quantify the job tasks performed by physicians working in different medical settings. In addition reliability and validity data of this instrument will be demonstrated.
Methods
This instrument was developed in consequential steps. First, lists comprising tasks performed by physicians in different care settings were classified. Afterwards content validity of task lists was proved. After establishing the final task categories, computer software was programmed and implemented in a mobile personal computer. At least inter-observer reliability was evaluated. Two trained observers recorded simultaneously tasks of the same physician.
Results
Content validity of the task lists was confirmed by observations and experienced specialists of each medical area. Development process of the job task analysis instrument was completed successfully. Simultaneous records showed adequate interrater reliability.
Conclusion
Initial results of this analysis supported the validity and reliability of this developed method for assessing physicians' working routines as well as organizational context factors. Based on results using this method, possible improvements for health professionals' work organisation can be identified.