Just the way my brain works: capabilities for working with data in non-clinical practice
ISSN: 0022-0418
Article publication date: 27 November 2023
Issue publication date: 22 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Effective use of data is critically important for the provision of health services. A large proportion of employees in health organisations work in non-clinical roles and play a major part in organisational information flows. However, their practice, data-related capabilities and learning needs have been rarely studied. The purpose of this paper is to investigate issues of capabilities and learning needs related to employees' interactions with data in non-clinical work roles.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mixed-method approach. Qualitative methods were used to explore issues, and survey was administered to gather additional data.
Findings
Data use and related capabilities at the workplace are highly contextual. A range of general, core and data-specific capabilities, underpinned by transferable skills and personal traits, enable successful interactions with data. Continuous learning is needed in most areas related to data use.
Research limitations/implications
The study was conducted in a large public-health organisation in Australia, which is not representative of unique organisations elsewhere. The study has implications for the provision of health services, workplace learning and education.
Practical implications
Findings have implications for organisational decisions related to data-use and workplace learning, and for formal education and lifelong learning.
Originality/value
The study contributes to closing a research gap in understanding interactions with data, capabilities and learning needs of employees in non-clinical work roles. Capabilities continuum presented in this paper can be used to inform education, training and service provision. The workplace-based results contribute to theoretical considerations of capabilities required for work in technology-rich environments.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to acknowledge Dr Henry Boateng's contribution to the survey analysis and Jamaica Eisner’s contribution to the qualitative part of the study as well as the helpful comments by anonymous peer reviewers.
Funding: This work was supported by the Health Education and Training Institute, NSW Health.
Citation
Sukovic, S. (2024), "Just the way my brain works: capabilities for working with data in non-clinical practice", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 80 No. 2, pp. 487-507. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-05-2023-0101
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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