Indicators and Components of Health Information Technology in Iranian Hospitals: Metasynthesis and Delphi Approach

Background & Aims: The advancement of health information technology has had significant impacts on hospital management and health service delivery.The hospital information system, with its automated data management, reflects one of these impacts.The present study identifies and analyzes the key indicators and components of health information technology in hospitals across the country.Materials & Methods: This study was conducted using a mixed-method approach (qualitative and quantitative).In the first part, using the meta-synthesis method, 299 articles from domestic and foreign databases were analyzed, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 41 final articles were selected for coding.In the second part, 20 participants were selected using the Delphi method, including managers and experts from hospitals in West Azerbaijan province who had at least 5 years of work experience in the field of health information technology or management.Data collection was carried out using a researcher-made questionnaire derived from the findings of the meta-analysis section.In this method, indicators and components were extracted through three stages of validation. Results:The results obtained can be used as a basis for the design and development of hospital information system models in Iran.Improving access to patient information, facilitating decisionmaking, improving service quality, saving costs, and improving management efficiency are among the key outcomes of the Health Information Technology Index. Conclusion:The findings of this study provide a foundation for designing and developing hospital information system models in Iran.The Health Information Technology Index highlights key benefits, including improved access to patient information, enhanced decision-making, better service quality, cost savings, and increased management efficiency.