Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40660281›Full record

ArticleHealth research policy and systems2025

Serbian Health Information System (HIS) improvements 2021-2024: comparison study using stages of continuous improvement (SOCI) methodology.

Bosiljka Djikanovic, Milan Kovacevic, Isidora Smigic, Marija Cvejic, Emilija Nicic, Caitlin Madevu-Matson, Steve Ollis, Vasa Curcin, Alimou Barry, Stephanie Watson-Grant

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Health research policy and systems, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Bosiljka DjikanovicInstitute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Subotica 8, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. bosiljka.djikanovic@med.bg.ac.rs.
Milan KovacevicJSI, Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU), Arlington, United States of America.
Isidora SmigicNational Alliance for Local Economic Development NALED, Belgrade, Serbia.
Marija CvejicJSI, Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU), Arlington, United States of America.
Emilija NicicNational Alliance for Local Economic Development NALED, Belgrade, Serbia.
Caitlin Madevu-MatsonJSI, Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU), Arlington, United States of America.
Steve OllisJSI, Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU), Arlington, United States of America.
Vasa CurcinDepartment of Population Health Sciences, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom. vasa.curcin@kcl.ac.uk.
Alimou BarryJSI, Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU), Arlington, United States of America.
Stephanie Watson-GrantJSI, Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU), Arlington, United States of America.

Funding

EPSRC-funded King's Health Partners Digital Health Hub (EP/X030628/1) EP/X030628/1Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation Republic of Serbia 451-03-66/2024-03/200110
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Health Information System (HIS) in public healthcare services in Serbia was introduced in 2008, with the first comprehensive evaluation of its maturity conducted in 2021. Since then, several improvement initiatives have been implemented. This study aimed to assess the extent of HIS advancement between 2021 and 2024 and to identify both the desirable and realistic future maturity status.

methodsThe maturity assessment of the Serbian HIS in 2024 was conducted using the same tool as in 2021: The Health Information Systems Stages of Continuous Improvement (SOCI), enabling direct comparison between the two periods. Progress was measured across five domains: Leadership and Governance, Management and Workforce, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Standards and Interoperability, and Data Quality and Use. These domains covered 13 components and 39 single subcomponents, with their maturity stages being assessed on a 5-point Likert scale on the basis of the opinions of key informants and documented through a desk review. Higher scores indicate a higher level of development. Along with a current assessment of maturity, key informants identified desired maturity levels for the future, using the same scale. Data were presented as comparisons in total scores per domain in 2024 versus 2021, for both current and projected statuses.

resultsBetween 2021 and 2024, the overall maturity of the Serbian HIS improved by nearly 1 point (from 1.6/5 to 2.5/5). The same difference of 0.9 was observed between the current 2024 status and the future desired status (2.5 versus 3.4). The most notable improvements were observed in the HIS Strategic Plan under Leadership and Governance (2.5-point increase) and Business Continuity under ICT Infrastructure (2-point increase). The primary driver of progress over the past 3 years was the adoption of the national Program for Digitalization in the Health System of Serbia (eHealth Strategy) and its corresponding Action Plan, which served as a development blueprint.

conclusionsSubstantial progress in HIS maturity was achieved between 2021 and 2024, driven by strong governmental commitment, international donor support, and the engagement of dedicated national professionals. If current momentum and resourcing are sustained, the projected maturity levels are likely to be attainable in the near future.

Indexed as

Delivery of Health CareHealth Information SystemsQuality ImprovementHumansLeadershipPublic HealthSerbiaAssessmentConsensuseHealthHealth information systemsHealth policyHealth systems plansInformation technologySerbia

Identifiers

PMID40660281
PMCPMC12257858

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.