Sociotechnical Systems in Health Care: A Field Experiment

Abstract

This article describes an intervention that employed sociotechnical systems (STS) analysis in the laboratory of a major health care institution in the Midwest. The analysis was performed on two departments of the laboratory to determine opportunitiesfor improving effectiveness, facilitating the introduction of new technology, and enhancing the work experience of technologists. The authors measured the results of the intervention by conducting a survey of technologists before and after the change effort and through follow-up interviews with a sample ofphysicians, supervisors, and technologists. The intervention did not achieve the results intended, and the authors present their explanations for why this occurred and suggest implications and recommendations for future STS applications to health care settings.