This study seeks to critically analyse the current state of knowledge in the field of Defence medical Information system, as a unique profession, which I have been a part of, for the past ten years. Information systems are sometimes viewed as an academic discipline, but for purposes of this study, we will analyse it as a professional discipline. The concept basically works through the theoretical utilization of information, in a computational manner, such that, business models can be developed to aid basic managerial decision-making processes, across all levels of the organization.
The working of the defence medical information system is based on people input, and specific procedures to be undertaken while utilizing it. However, data, software and hardware applications also play a significant role in the proper functioning of the system. The scope of the information system in the conventional work setting is within the organizational boundaries and across organizational borders. Comprehensively, the defence medical information system is used in areas relating to decision-making functions, processing of various financial transactions, office support functions, knowledge management processes and data management processes.
Utilization of Knowledge
Considering the fact that I work in the defence medical IT system, a number of knowledge bases that we use are health related. Knowledge is normally sourced worldwide. This means that the system relies on a relational based database system that comprises of medical history and experiences of all military servicemen across the board (throughout the course of their careers). Currently, the system is equipped with knowledge relating to more than 7 million servicemen, since the year 1990, and current decisions are based on the information obtained (relating to the military and medical experiences of all the servicemen from 1990) (Rubertone, 2002, p. 1). Past medical and military experiences are especially relied on by researchers in the field because such knowledge acts as the background for their research studies. This is therefore the starting point of all current and future studies in the field. Global knowledge is also relied on when operating the system because global comparisons are also made to gauge the type of service output the system will produce, and how best the system can be improved.
Philosophical Assumptions
In using the defence medical IT system, a number of philosophical assumptions are often applied. These philosophical assumptions are normally pertinent in the analysis of how the information system works. In other words, they guide not only how the information system works, but how inquiries should be made, and how various users must comprehend the system. Functionalism is one of the most evident paradigms through which the system operates on. The paradigm is built on a number of humanistic behaviours and technological attributes which eventually enable users to have a stronger command of their socioeconomic environment (Hirschheim, 1995, p. 47). Users of the system must therefore be aware of how the system enables them to arrive at a given end-result. The system is built with the aim of enabling users transcend computational barriers to achieve their ultimate objectives (Hirschheim, 1995, p. 47).
Radical structuralism is also another openly applied paradigm of the information system. Its popularity emanates from its facilitation of social progress. In other words, the paradigm is centred on the fact that it can be extensively used to transcend social contradictions in the usability of the system and therefore social augmentation and development can be greatly enhanced (Hirschheim, 1995, p. 47). To a significant degree, this involves the wide application of natural sciences as a practical catalyst to this process (Hirschheim, 1995, p. 47). This paradigm is especially useful when there is the transition of any facet of the information system because it helps users understand the requirements of the current evolutionary stage. In close relation, it also helps users understand where the organization stands, in relation to any evolutionary phase. To a large extend, this paradigm is centred on ensuring a sense of continuity and progression of user application (Hirschheim, 1995, p. 47).
One of the operative paradigms used in the system is the cooperative web services paradigm which helps browse current and relevant information from the huge volumes of database available in the system (University of Kansas, 2011, p. 11). This operative paradigm was adopted after traditional crawlers used outdated operative paradigms which retrieve unmodified web pages that ultimately lead to unnecessary internet traffic (which also greatly slowed down the speed of the system). This inefficiency was majorly experienced in indexing and page collection. Furthermore, it was quite difficult to retrieve dynamic information which ultimately led to a loss of important data. However, the new operative paradigm solves a lot of these problems as has been evidenced in its ability to retrieve deleted pages, and its ultimate capability of utilizing up-to-date information (University of Kansas, 2011, p. 11).
Justification for Assumptions
The above assumptions are justifiable and desirably held by practitioners and researchers in the field of information technology because functionalism basically enables users to realize multiple “realizability”. In the words of Bluejoh (2011)
“This means that it is the function with the causal network rather than the physical realisation which is at issue. One good example to explain the idea is that of mouse-traps: Some are made of wire, wood, and cheese. Others are made of plastic and poison. Still others are constituted by bunches of philosophers scurrying around the room armed with inverted wastepaper baskets” (p. 34).
In this analysis, we see that different methodologies in the above example still lead to the same purpose. This flexibility is quite important in the use of the functionalism paradigm because it gives room for different users to arrive at the same conclusion, using a number of methodologies.
The radical structuralism paradigm is also widely accepted by many practitioners and researchers using the system because it eases the transition of information comprehension, especially for researchers in the field (since it makes them understand the intrigues of evolutionary stages in the usability of the system) (WordIQ, 2010, p. 1). Practitioners have also found the paradigm quite useful because it guarantees the sustainability of the system, regardless of the fact that an evolutionary phase may affect the manner of system usability (WordIQ, 2010, p. 1).
From a personal point of view, these assumptions are quite important in the use of the defence IT medical system because the efficiency of the system greatly relies on information technological tools which evolve by the day (Collins, 2001). This is to say that it is important for the system to have a transitional phase, facilitated by the radical structuralism paradigm for example. This view is supported by the post-structuralism view which seeks to understand the functioning of structural designs in the wake of shifting differences in the way structural functions operate (WordIQ, 2010, p. 1). In other words, this is a shift from the structuralism approach where systems were designed in a hierarchical, simple and universal manner (WordIQ, 2010, p. 1).
Conclusion
Information system (and more specifically defence medical information systems) do not significantly differ in the manner other information systems operate. This study points out that knowledge utilization of the system comes from a number of global quarters and the operative functions are guided by radical structuralism and functionalism paradigms which are representative of the poststructuralist approach. Collectively, these dynamics define the current state of knowledge of the defence medical IT system.
References
Bluejoh. (2011). Philosophy of Cognitive Science – Machine Functionalism. Web.
Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Hirschheim, R. (1995). Information Systems Development and Data Modelling:Conceptual and Philosophical Foundations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Rubertone, M. (2002). The Defense Medical Surveillance System and the Department of Defense serum repository: glimpses of the future of public health surveillance. Am J Public Health, 92(12), 1900-4.
University of Kansas. (2011). A Co-Operative Web Services Paradigm for Supporting Crawlers. Web.
WordIQ. (2010). Post-structuralism – Definition. Web.