Index

Human -Tech Skill Complementarity

Index

Human -Tech Skill Complementarity

The Human-Tech Skill Complementarity Index is a practical tool for understanding whether digital technologies in hospitals are really supporting work as intended. It measures the affordance gap across the whole organisation, from individual tasks to hospital-wide strategy

The affordance gap is the difference between what a technology is expected to enable and how it is actually used in everyday practice

How does it work?

The index provides a structured assessment of human-technology complementarity in hospital settings

Highlights where technologies deliver on their promises & where they fall short

Shows how misalignment at task, role, team, department or organisational level are connected

Supports implementation teams & leaders to prioritise where action is most needed

The Human-Tech Index is grounded in two robust evidence sources

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Academic articles on digital technology use in hospital settings reviewed

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Ethnographic case studies conducted across hospitals in Ireland, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands

The Human-Tech Index is grounded in two robust evidence sources

0

Academic articles on digital technology use in hospital settings reviewed

0

Ethnographic case studies conducted across hospitals in Ireland, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands

What the index measures?

The Index identifies gaps between how technology is designed to be used and how it is actually used, delivering clear, actionable insights to drive meaningful improvement

These gaps do not always stem from technical shortcomings, they emerge from the interaction between technology, professional practice, organisational structure and context

Gaps are assessed across 5 system levels & 5 analytical factors

Factors & components

Technology

The technical performance of the system itself, including usability, usefulness and how well it integrates with existing tools and infrastructure.

  • System integration
  • Usability
  • Usefulness

Resource availability & constraints

The financial, structural and operational resources available to support the technology, including time, staffing, and ongoing maintenance or improvement.

  • Cost & financial considerations
  • Structure & operatioanl resources

Implementation, leadership & coordination

The way the technology is introduced and supported, including training, organisational readiness, and how leaders and peers influence adoption.

  • Training & support
  • Organisational readiness and engagement
  • Social influence

Professional practice alignment

How well the technology fits clinical workflows, supports collaboration, and respects roles, responsibilities and quality of care.

  • Quality and efficiency of care
  • Workflow integrations
  • Workload and strain
  • Collaboration
  • Role, responsibility and integrity

Trust & ethical concerns

How users perceive issues such as data quality, algorithmic bias, privacy, transparency, legal and ethical safeguards, and overall safety and reliability.

  • Data quality / algorithmic bias & fairness
  • Data privacy & governance
  • Transparency
  • Legal frameworks & accountability
  • Safety & reliability