Evaluation of health information applications in a lifecycle perspective

Healthcare is facing huge challenges in terms of implementation of the Information Age, the technological advanced, in combination with the political and societal changes that at the same time leads to structural changes. Constructive evaluation, evaluation being the act of bringing about the decision-making basis, is perceived as the means with which to minimise failure and maximise success from the very beginning of the development or implementation (“better prevent than cure problems”). Lessons from case studies on criteria for success and failure, as well as obstacles and barriers towards the success of health information applications (ITbased solutions) are discussed within a lifecycle perspective of these systems.