Linking theoretical perspectives to analyze health information and communication technologies in Brazil

•We promote a discussion between two research paradigms.•We review two research streams on the topic and propose an integrated framework for health ICT policies.•The framework defines the dimensions of analysis of health ICT in Brazil.•The framework establishes factors associated with the results of Health Information Systems (HIS) in Brazil.

Brazil has developed health information and communication technologies (ICT), however, to date health information systems are fragmented and endeavors to integrate them have failed. This work links two theoretical streams in order to establish a framework to assess health ICT in Brazil. The proposed framework sees ICT as the result of public policy aiming at developing technical artifacts to assist society on health issues. Moreover, this framework sets up analytical dimensions for assessing this public policy, namely democratization, effectiveness, sustainability, and synergy. It also enables the analysis of the trajectory of this public policy via the actors involved with it.

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