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Lovis C, Ammenwerth E, Dornauer V, Höffner K, Bindel M, Karopka T, Winter A. A Linked Open Data-Based Terminology to Describe Libre/Free and Open-source Software: Incremental Development Study. JMIR Med Inform 2023; 11:e38861. [PMID: 36662569 PMCID: PMC9898829 DOI: 10.2196/38861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a variety of libre/free and open-source software (LIFOSS) products for medicine and health care. To support health care and IT professionals select an appropriate software product for given tasks, several comparison studies and web platforms, such as Medfloss.org, are available. However, due to the lack of a uniform terminology for health informatics, ambiguous or imprecise terms are used to describe the functionalities of LIFOSS. This makes comparisons of LIFOSS difficult and may lead to inappropriate software selection decisions. Using Linked Open Data (LOD) promises to address these challenges. OBJECTIVE We describe LIFOSS systematically with the help of the underlying Health Information Technology Ontology (HITO). We publish HITO and HITO-based software product descriptions using LOD to obtain the following benefits: (1) linking and reusing existing terminologies and (2) using Semantic Web tools for viewing and querying the LIFOSS data on the World Wide Web. METHODS HITO was incrementally developed and implemented. First, classes for the description of software products in health IT evaluation studies were identified. Second, requirements for describing LIFOSS were elicited by interviewing domain experts. Third, to describe domain-specific functionalities of software products, existing catalogues of features and enterprise functions were analyzed and integrated into the HITO knowledge base. As a proof of concept, HITO was used to describe 25 LIFOSS products. RESULTS HITO provides a defined set of classes and their relationships to describe LIFOSS in medicine and health care. With the help of linked or integrated catalogues for languages, programming languages, licenses, features, and enterprise functions, the functionalities of LIFOSS can be precisely described and compared. We publish HITO and the LIFOSS descriptions as LOD; they can be queried and viewed using different Semantic Web tools, such as Resource Description Framework (RDF) browsers, SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language (SPARQL) queries, and faceted searches. The advantages of providing HITO as LOD are demonstrated by practical examples. CONCLUSIONS HITO is a building block to achieving unambiguous communication among health IT professionals and researchers. Providing LIFOSS product information as LOD enables barrier-free and easy access to data that are often hidden in user manuals of software products or are not available at all. Efforts to establish a unique terminology of medical and health informatics should be further supported and continued.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elske Ammenwerth
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Verena Dornauer
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Konrad Höffner
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michelle Bindel
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | | | - Alfred Winter
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Elahi A, Dako F, Zember J, Ojetayo B, Gerus DA, Schweitzer A, Mollura DJ, Awan O. Overcoming Challenges for Successful PACS Installation in Low-Resource Regions: Our Experience in Nigeria. J Digit Imaging 2020; 33:996-1001. [PMID: 32495127 PMCID: PMC7522157 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-020-00352-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we walk you through our challenges, successes, and experience while participating in a Global Health Outreach Project at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria. The scope of the project was to install a Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) to establish a centralized viewing network at UCH's Radiology Department, for each of their digital modalities. Installing a PACS requires robust servers, the ability to retrieve and archive studies, ensuring workstations can view studies, and the configuration of imaging modalities to send studies. We anticipated that we might experience hurdles for each of these requirements, due to limited resources and without the availability to make a site visit prior to the start of the project. While we ultimately experienced delays and troubleshooting was required at each turn of the install, with the help of dedicated volunteers both on and off-site and the UCH staff, our shared goal was accomplished.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameena Elahi
- Department of Information Services, Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- RAD-AID International, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
| | - Farouk Dako
- RAD-AID International, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Omer Awan
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Fuzzy Multicriteria Modelling of Decision Making in the Renewal of Healthcare Technologies. MATHEMATICS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/math8060944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the current literature, there are a clear lack of systems to assist in making decisions about the renewal of technology for healthcare equipment, which means that the limited capacity to invest in new equipment cannot usually be appropriately applied as determined by the care requirements of a community. This may have important repercussions for patients, such as the inability to offer treatment or diagnosis, having to delay treatment or diagnosis, increase the risk of patients and care staff of using obsolete equipment, and preventing early, accurate, and reliable diagnosis, all of which have effects on the quality of care to a community. This study therefore describes the first multicriteria model in a fuzzy environment to assist in decision making related to the renewal of healthcare equipment. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), which allows for ambiguities, uncertainties, and doubts inherent in real-world decision processes to be taken into account, was used to do this. The model produces a plan with actions to be taken depending on the obtained results. The model includes a novel methodology that consists of modifying the top–down technique to allow for the levels of priority for renewing healthcare equipment to be determined from judgements given by three experts. The model was validated by applying it to a set of medical devices, and we show the results for a surgical C-arm, an X-ray CT room, a neonatal ventilator, a defibrillator, and a video-colonoscope. A program was also created using the NI Labview software to process the model so that it could be applied with a user interface that acts quickly, simply, and intuitively.
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Li W, Feng C, Yu K, Zhao D. MISS-D: A fast and scalable framework of medical image storage service based on distributed file system. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2020; 186:105189. [PMID: 31759298 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2019.105189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective Processing of medical imaging big data is deeply challenging due to the size of data, computational complexity, security storage and inherent privacy issues. Traditional picture archiving and communication system, which is an imaging technology used in the healthcare industry, generally uses centralized high performance disk storage arrays in the practical solutions. The existing storage solutions are not suitable for the diverse range of medical imaging big data that needs to be stored reliably and accessed in a timely manner. The economical solution is emerging as the cloud computing which provides scalability, elasticity, performance and better managing cost. Cloud based storage architecture for medical imaging big data has attracted more and more attention in industry and academia. Methods This study presents a novel, fast and scalable framework of medical image storage service based on distributed file system. Two innovations of the framework are introduced in this paper. An integrated medical imaging content indexing file model for large-scale image sequence is designed to adapt to the high performance storage efficiency on distributed file system. A virtual file pooling technology is proposed, which uses the memory-mapped file method to achieve an efficient data reading process and provides the data swapping strategy in the pool. Result The experiments show that the framework not only has comparable performance of reading and writing files which meets requirements in real-time application domain, but also bings greater convenience for clinical system developers by multiple client accessing types. The framework supports different user client types through the unified micro-service interfaces which basically meet the needs of clinical system development especially for online applications. The experimental results demonstrate the framework can meet the needs of real-time data access as well as traditional picture archiving and communication system. Conclusions This framework aims to allow rapid data accessing for massive medical images, which can be demonstrated by the online web client for MISS-D framework implemented in this paper for real-time data interaction. The framework also provides a substantial subset of features to existing open-source and commercial alternatives, which has a wide range of potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Computing in Medical Image (MIIC), Northeastern University, Ministry of Education, China.
| | - Chaolu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Image Computing (MIC), Northeastern University, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Kun Yu
- School of Medicine and Biological Information Engineering, Northeastern University, China
| | - Dazhe Zhao
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Northeastern University, China
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Rossi D, Marciano F, Cabassa P. A multi-criteria methodology for evaluating alternative ultrasound devices. ERGONOMICS 2019; 62:1301-1312. [PMID: 31328651 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1647349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Several surveys and clinical studies report high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among sonographers and sonologists. Better performing ultrasound devices can increase the number and quality of examinations, but also reduce the user comfort and increase the risk of WMSDs. This should lead the choice of the device to buy and use. To support hospitals or diagnostic centres in selecting the best ultrasound device, this study provides a structured methodology based on a multi-criteria approach, the Analytic Hierarchy Process. It has a Goal (to optimise workers' well-being and satisfy company production objectives) and 45 evaluation elements. It was applied in an Italian hospital comparing 3 alternatives: wireless, portable, and cart-based. The latter proved to be the best in satisfying the Goal, whereas a previous study obtained that the wireless device was preferable considering only the ergonomic point of view. The case study validated the applicability of the methodology. Practitioner summary: This paper provides the decision-makers of hospitals or diagnostic centres with a multi-criteria methodology to select the best ultrasound device capable of optimising workers' well-being and satisfying company production objectives. The methodology can also support manufacturers of ultrasound devices in improving their products. Abbreviations: AHP: analytic hierarchy process; AIUM: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine; BSI: British Standards Institution; CEN: European Committee for Standardisation; EU-OSHA: EU Agency for Occupational Safety and Health; ISO: International Organisation for Standardisation; MCMD: multiple criteria decision-making; NIOSH: US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; SDMS: society of diagnostic medical sonography; WHO: World Health OrganizationWMSD: work-related musculoskeletal disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Rossi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Filippo Marciano
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Paolo Cabassa
- Radiology Unit, Chiari General Hospital , Chiari (BS) , Italy
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Alhajeri M, Shah SGS. Limitations in and Solutions for Improving the Functionality of Picture Archiving and Communication System: an Exploratory Study of PACS Professionals' Perspectives. J Digit Imaging 2019; 32:54-67. [PMID: 30225824 PMCID: PMC6382637 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-018-0127-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) technology is evolving leading to improvements in the PACS functionality. However, the needs and expectations of PACS users are increasing to cope with the rising demands for improving the workflow and enhancing efficiency in healthcare. The aim was to study the limitations in the current generation of PACS and solutions for improving PACS functionality. This was a longitudinal online observational study of the perspectives of PACS professionals accessed through four online discussion groups on PACS using the LinkedIn network. In this exploratory study, the methodology involved a thematic analysis of qualitative data comprising 250 online posts/comments made by 124 unique PACS professionals collected between January 2014 and December 2015. Participants were mostly male (n = 119, 96%) from the North America (n = 88, 71%). Key themes on limitations in the current generation of PACS were image transmission problems, network and hardware issues, difficulties in changing specific settings, issues in hardcoded Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine attributes, and problems in implementing open source PACS. Main themes on solutions for improving PACS functionality were the integration of multisite PACS, multimedia for PACS, web-based PACS, medical image viewer, open source PACS, PACS on mobile phones, vendor neutral archives for PACS, speech recognition and integration in PACS, PACS backup and recovery, and connecting PACS with other hospital systems. Despite ongoing technological developments, the current generation of PACS has limitations that affect PACS functionality leading to unmet needs and requirements of PACS users, which could impact workflow and efficiency in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Alhajeri
- Jaber Al Ahmad Center for Molecular Imaging, Ahmad Al Jaber Street, Shuwaikh, Sabah Area, 14113, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Department of Computer Science, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Syed Ghulam Sarwar Shah
- Department of Occupational Health, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, The Education Centre, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK.
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Zahiri Esfahani M, Farokhzadian J, Bahaadinbeigy K, Khajouei R. Factors influencing the selection of a picture archiving and communication system: A qualitative study. Int J Health Plann Manage 2019; 34:780-793. [PMID: 30680799 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.2736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is an evolving technology in health care domains that is used for storage, management, retrieval, transfer, and delivery of medical images. Some medical centers in Iran have installed the PACS in recent years but have not used it appropriately. One of the problems in implementing this system is inability to select appropriate PACS. Several factors are involved in the selection process. The objective of this study was to determine the factors that influence PACS selection. METHODS This qualitative study aimed to identify factors influencing the PACS selection. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 experts in three educational hospitals and in the position to make decision for the purchase of PACS. Data were analyzed by the conventional qualitative content analysis method proposed by Lundman and Graneheim. RESULTS Analyses achieved 11 subcategories in two specific and general categories that influence PACS selection. The specific category of this study included six subcategories, and the general category included five subcategories. CONCLUSION The results of this study determined that usability was the most important factor from the perspective of participants. Since the main users of a system have a critical role in adoption or rejection of a system, ease of use (usability) is significant and must be considered in system selection as a significant factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misagh Zahiri Esfahani
- Department of Health Information Sciences, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Department of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy
- Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Reza Khajouei
- Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Department of Health Information Sciences, Faculty of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Needs Assessment Using a Structured Prioritization Schema: An Open Letter to PACS Vendors. J Am Coll Radiol 2018; 16:170-177. [PMID: 30219343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this work was to prioritize in a quaternary academic environment necessary elements of a replacement PACS. METHODS This quality improvement work was conducted at one academic medical center and was "not regulated" by the institutional review board. Three workgroups (10-15 members each) with unique resident, fellow, and attending radiologists; IT specialists; and departmental leaders convened in 2018 to prioritize elements for a PACS replacement project, including integrated IT tools. Each workgroup met two or three times and represented one of three missions (clinical, research, and education). Six elements assigned the highest priority were distilled from each workgroup. The resulting 18 elements were condensed into survey format and distributed to all department residents, fellows, and faculty members for 5-point Likert-type prioritization stratified by mission. Data were collected over 2 weeks. RESULTS The survey response rate was 37% (71 of 192; 17 of 44 residents, 3 of 27 fellows, and 51 of 121 faculty members). Self-reported work effort was 63 ± 26% clinical, 14 ± 11% education, 15 ± 21% research, and 8 ± 14% administration. Aggregate priority ratings across all domains were highest for "stable system with predictable behavior" (mean, 4.51), "minimizes repetitive non-value-added work" (mean, 4.40), "interoperability" (mean, 4.12), and "near-instantaneous load times" (mean, 4.07). Clinical-specific ratings for these elements were even higher (means, 4.85-4.90). The lowest aggregate scores were mobile device compatibility (mean, 3.03), connectivity to nonaffiliated sites (mean, 3.01), and integrated instant messaging (mean, 2.87). CONCLUSIONS The department prioritized a stable and interoperable system that minimized non-value-added work. In other words, participants wanted a functioning PACS. PACS vendors should prioritize a reliable experience over niche add-ons.
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Iannessi A, Marcy PY, Clatz O, Bertrand AS, Sugimoto M. A review of existing and potential computer user interfaces for modern radiology. Insights Imaging 2018; 9:599-609. [PMID: 29770927 PMCID: PMC6108970 DOI: 10.1007/s13244-018-0620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The digitalization of modern imaging has led radiologists to become very familiar with computers and their user interfaces (UI). New options for display and command offer expanded possibilities, but the mouse and keyboard remain the most commonly utilized, for usability reasons. In this work, we review and discuss different UI and their possible application in radiology. We consider two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging displays in the context of interventional radiology, and discuss interest in touchscreens, kinetic sensors, eye detection, and augmented or virtual reality. We show that UI design specifically for radiologists is key for future use and adoption of such new interfaces. Next-generation UI must fulfil professional needs, while considering contextual constraints. Teaching Points • The mouse and keyboard remain the most utilized user interfaces for radiologists. • Touchscreen, holographic, kinetic sensors and eye tracking offer new possibilities for interaction. • 3D and 2D imaging require specific user interfaces. • Holographic display and augmented reality provide a third dimension to volume imaging. • Good usability is essential for adoption of new user interfaces by radiologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Iannessi
- Interventional and Diagnostic Imaging Department, Cancer Center Antoine Lacassagne Nice, Nice, France.
| | | | | | - Anne-Sophie Bertrand
- Interventional and Diagnostic Imaging Department, Cancer Center Antoine Lacassagne Nice, Nice, France
| | - Maki Sugimoto
- International University of Health Welfare, Otawara, Japan
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Alhajeri M, Aldosari H, Aldosari B. Evaluating latest developments in PACS and their impact on radiology practices: A systematic literature review. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Buabbas AJ, Al-Shamali DA, Sharma P, Haidar S, Al-Shawaf H. Users' Perspectives on a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS): An In-Depth Study in a Teaching Hospital in Kuwait. JMIR Med Inform 2016; 4:e21. [PMID: 27307046 PMCID: PMC4927806 DOI: 10.2196/medinform.5703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a well-known imaging informatics application in health care organizations, specifically designed for the radiology department. Health care providers have exhibited willingness toward evaluating PACS in hospitals to ascertain the critical success and failure of the technology, considering that evaluation is a basic requirement. Objective This study aimed at evaluating the success of a PACS in a regional teaching hospital of Kuwait, from users’ perspectives, using information systems success criteria. Methods An in-depth study was conducted by using quantitative and qualitative methods. This mixed-method study was based on: (1) questionnaires, distributed to all radiologists and technologists and (2) interviews, conducted with PACS administrators. Results In all, 60 questionnaires were received from the respondents. These included 39 radiologists (75% response rate) and 21 technologists (62% response rate), with the results showing almost three-quarters (74%, 44 of 59) of the respondents rating PACS positively and as user friendly. This study’s findings revealed that the demographic data, including computer experience, was an insignificant factor, having no influence on the users’ responses. The findings were further substantiated by the administrators’ interview responses, which supported the benefits of PACS, indicating the need for developing a unified policy aimed at streamlining and improving the departmental workflow. Conclusions The PACS had a positive and productive impact on the radiologists’ and technologists’ work performance. They were endeavoring to resolve current problems while keeping abreast of advances in PACS technology, including teleradiology and mobile image viewer, which is steadily increasing in usage in the Kuwaiti health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Jassem Buabbas
- Faculty of Medicine, Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, Kuwait University, Hawally, Kuwait.
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Schmidt K, Aumann I, Hollander I, Damm K, von der Schulenburg JMG. Applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process in healthcare research: A systematic literature review and evaluation of reporting. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2015; 15:112. [PMID: 26703458 PMCID: PMC4690361 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-015-0234-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), developed by Saaty in the late 1970s, is one of the methods for multi-criteria decision making. The AHP disaggregates a complex decision problem into different hierarchical levels. The weight for each criterion and alternative are judged in pairwise comparisons and priorities are calculated by the Eigenvector method. The slowly increasing application of the AHP was the motivation for this study to explore the current state of its methodology in the healthcare context. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted by searching the Pubmed and Web of Science databases for articles with the following keywords in their titles or abstracts: “Analytic Hierarchy Process,” “Analytical Hierarchy Process,” “multi-criteria decision analysis,” “multiple criteria decision,” “stated preference,” and “pairwise comparison.” In addition, we developed reporting criteria to indicate whether the authors reported important aspects and evaluated the resulting studies’ reporting. Results The systematic review resulted in 121 articles. The number of studies applying AHP has increased since 2005. Most studies were from Asia (almost 30 %), followed by the US (25.6 %). On average, the studies used 19.64 criteria throughout their hierarchical levels. Furthermore, we restricted a detailed analysis to those articles published within the last 5 years (n = 69). The mean of participants in these studies were 109, whereas we identified major differences in how the surveys were conducted. The evaluation of reporting showed that the mean of reported elements was about 6.75 out of 10. Thus, 12 out of 69 studies reported less than half of the criteria. Conclusion The AHP has been applied inconsistently in healthcare research. A minority of studies described all the relevant aspects. Thus, the statements in this review may be biased, as they are restricted to the information available in the papers. Hence, further research is required to discover who should be interviewed and how, how inconsistent answers should be dealt with, and how the outcome and stability of the results should be presented. In addition, we need new insights to determine which target group can best handle the challenges of the AHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schmidt
- Center for Health Economics Research Hannover (CHERH), Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str. 1, 30159, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Ines Aumann
- Center for Health Economics Research Hannover (CHERH), Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str. 1, 30159, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Ines Hollander
- Institute for Risk and Insurance, Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str. 1, 30159, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kathrin Damm
- Center for Health Economics Research Hannover (CHERH), Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str. 1, 30159, Hannover, Germany.
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