California HealthCare Foundation Releases Two Studies on Information Technology Systems in Health Care
The California HealthCare Foundation has released two new studies on "how and why health care technology succeeds or fails to be adopted" to help health care providers and executives make decisions on information and medical technology systems. A summary of the studies appears below.
- "Diffusion of Innovations in Health Care": The study, conducted by the Institute for the Future, explains how diffusion of technology in health care "tends to happen and how the pace and style of diffusion can be influenced" based on 10 "critical dynamics." In addition, the study offers "practical advice" on the adoption of information and medical technology systems in the health care industry. Sam Karp, director of the CHCF Internet and Health Technology Program, said, "The report explains why getting new ideas and technologies put to good use continues to be both frustrating and rewarding for innovators and users alike."
- "Technology Adoption in California Medical Groups, Independent Practice Associations and Community Clinics": The study, conducted by the Healthcare Change Institute, surveyed a number of California health care organizations to determine the "status of technology adoption, what organizations view as barriers and how they make investment and adoption decisions." According to the study, most of the organizations surveyed cited improvement in the quality of patient care as their "highest priority information technology objectives," although systems for "administrative functions were far more prevalent than clinical systems." About 85% of the organizations cited cost as the "most significant obstacle" to the adoption of information technology systems.
The studies are available online (CHCF release, 5/30). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.