Future health services managers' and health information managers' views on information technology: a pilot survey

This pilot survey examined the views of a sample of health service managers (HSMs) and health information managers (HIMs) undertaking tertiary studies about the application of information technology (IT) in health care. The survey was based on a questionnaire designed as part of a 1994 study of health service executives (HSEs) commissioned by the Australian College of Health Service Executives (ACHSE). We examined views about current and future IT expenditure, satisfaction with IT, impact of IT on quality and efficiency and the future use of electronic medical records and optical disk storage. Results identify differences and some similarities between respondent groups on these issues. The paper explores these differences and similarities and provides insight into the views held by future HSMs and HIMs.