Cooper, R (2011) In praise of the prescription: the symbolic and boundary object value of the traditional prescription in the electronic age. Health Sociology Review, 20 (4). 462 - 474. ISSN 1446-1242
Abstract
This paper explores the symbolic and boundary object value of the traditional paper prescription in the context of the planned move to the wider use of electronic prescribing in primary care in the UK and many other countries. It is argued that the traditional paper prescription possesses symbolic value and has been occasionally recognised but more often ignored in favour of the ultimate social object that is the medicine. This paper argues that considering the physical prescription as a boundary object within Star and Griesemer's typology as a 'standardised form' recognises its significance for a range of actors, including not just doctors and patients, but also pharmacists and other stakeholders, in areas such as professional authority, the ceremony of the medical consultation, patient autonomy, surveillance, financial income, as well as medicine supply. The paper goes on to reflect on this boundary object interpretation in the context of the current move to the electronic transfer of prescriptions and it is argued that this may threaten the existing boundary object and its associated value. It also raises broader concerns as to what happens when boundary objects are modified or replaced.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 20 Aug 2013 09:52 |
Last Modified: | 15 Sep 2014 03:10 |
Published Version: | http://hsr.e-contentmanagement.com/ |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | e-Content Management |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:76240 |