Table 1 Timing of focus groups, description of hardware and software, and characteristics of participants
| Â | Site C | Site B | Site A | Float Pool | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Focus Group Date | March 2005 (Pre-implementation) | October 2005 (Transition) | June/September 2005 (Post- Implementation) | June 2006 (Post-Implementation) | April 2005 (variable stages of implementation) |
Description of Hardware and Software | |||||
Hardware configuration at time of focus group | Basic* | Basic* | Basic* | Basic* plus Prescribers using portable laptops since June 2005 as step toward having PC in exam room | Basic* plus Variable |
Software in use at time of focus group | Basic** plus e-rx system absent; paper-based prescribing only | Basic** plus e-rx system in place since April 2005 | Basic** plus e-rx system in place since July 2004 | Basic** plus e-rx system in place since August 2004 | Basic** plus e-rx system variable |
Characteristics of Participants | |||||
Participants | Focus Group 1: 8 Physicians | No physician focus group conducted | Focus Group 4: 6 Physicians | Focus Group 6: 3 Physicians | Â |
| Â | Focus Group 2: 8 Staff | FocusGroup3: 7 Staff | Focus Group 5: 12 Staff | Focus Group 7: 4 Staff | Focus Group 8: 22 Staff |
Number employed at site; proportion participating in focus group | Physicians: 10; 80% (8/10) | Physicians: N/A | Physicians: 15; 40% (6/15) | Physicians: 8; 38% (3/8) | N/A |
| Â | Staff: 17; 48% (8/17) | Staff 17; 41% (7/17) | Staff: 25; 48% (12/25) | Staff: 11; 36% (4/11) | Â |