Table 2 Summary of themes and sub-themes in thematic analysis

Access to MIS

Collecting and inputting data

Participants spoke about data collection as a predominantly paper based exercise, although this was seen as pragmatic and cost driven, rather than ideal.

Setting and time of MIS access

Data entry was usually an office based procedure, whereas review and analysis might rely on remote access. Modern technology facilitated multiple simultaneous use

Reasons for stakeholder access

Access for data input, administration, monitoring and evaluation was described

Support and training in MIS use

Both formal and informal training were reported with the need for training to be an ongoing process.

Usability and value of MIS

Ease of use and ability to accommodate different levels of expertise and confidence were explained.

Data and its function

Confidence in the data

Data quality was a frequent theme that included accurate and secure data with consistency of MIS use, safeguards and ‘back –up’

Data processing

Data cleaning, extraction, analysis and linkage were explored

Use of the data

Use of MIS data in administration, monitoring the progress of individual participants and monitoring the progress of the entire project were described.

Development and updating of the MIS

Procurement of the MIS,

The cost complexity and ownership of procured MIS were important aspects of this theme

Specificity of the MIS, degree to which it is bespoke or generic

Both fairly simple (built on generic platforms) and complex, bespoke MIS were described.

Stakeholder involvement in the development of the MIS

There was consensus on the need to involve different stakeholders in MIS development from the outset. And the complexity of preserving data integrity within a ‘live’ data collection environment was acknowledged.