Success factors of an early EHR system for child and adolescent mental health: Lessons learned for future practice data-driven decision aids

Abstract

This paper recounts the successful BUPdata, a discontinued electronic health record (EHR) system for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Norway. It was developed and owned by the national association for CAMHS and fulfilled needs for collaborative care, practice insight, and service management. It aimed to unify the requirements of government, administration, clinicians, patients, and researchers alike, with the goal of providing uniform quality of care nationally. When CAMHS became integrated with specialist healthcare, BUPdata was replaced with more a general EHR system offering far less functionality and insight into CAMHS practice. We have studied BUPdata, and interviewed stakeholders in order to develop decision aids based on practice data analysis and give clinicians and patients insight into successful local practice, collaboration patterns, and overview of local resources.