Overcoming information overload: an information system for the primary care physician

Primary Care Office InSite (PCOI) is a Web-based intranet application that provides ready access to a collection of information useful in primary care. The PCOI Web site was developed by, and is widely used within, the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and its affiliated community practices. Over 1600 users logged 60,000 separate sessions in the past year. The site contains clinical practice guidelines, patient educational material, drug prescription and cost information and referral information, all designed for use during routine patient care activity. A continuing and dynamic collaboration between the users and developers of the system, just-in-time access and a "one-stop portal" to a variety of resources have resulted in a very high approval rating by the users. This paper discusses the important characteristics of the Web site, specific functions that improve the workflow of the practicing clinician, and limitations of the present implementation.