Modeling of the Success of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in Medicine Using Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Picture Archiving and communication system (PACS) has caused a revolution in radiology performance and has increased efficiency in medicine and radiology. Identifying the important factors influencing the success and failure of PACS is necessary to ensure its successful implementation. This study aimed to determine the success factors of PACS using structural equation modeling approach in educational hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2014. The study population consisted of PACS users (general practitioners, specialists, residents, and radiology experts) in Faghihi and Nemazi Hospitals of Shiraz. The subjects consisted of 250 PACS users, who were selected using stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data; its validity was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis and its reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.84). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods in SPSS and structural equations modeling technique in LISREL software.
Findings showed that the proposed conceptual model for success of PACS in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences has an appropriate fitness in terms of analysis of the constitutive factors. Hypothesis analysis using structural equation modeling showed that 11 hypotheses out of 16 were confirmed and 5 hypotheses w refuted. Factors of individual performance, organizational performance, and perceived usefulness of the system had the greatest impact on the dependence on PACS, respectively.
Designing and evaluating health information systems based on standard and well-known models is necessary in order to have quality information, quality systems, and satisfied users. Findings of this study can be a good reference for health care institutions, companies which provide information system services, and information system developers in order to evaluate and promote the quality, usability, and effectiveness of these systems.