Interdisciplinary care team adoption of electronic point-of-care documentation systems: an unrealized opportunity

We conducted three health care evaluation studies in community and hospital settings to examine adoption of point-of-care documentation systems among interdisciplinary care team clinicians. Both community studies used a mixed methods design to assess actual system usage and clinician satisfaction. In the hospitals, scenario testing was used. Results indicated clinician adoption of the systems was universal, although not always timely with: (1) a mismatch between system functionality and workflow which was a barrier to clinician system access during patient care and reduced clinician efficiency; (2) no increase in interdisciplinary team communication; and (3) no impact on patient outcomes identified by clinicians. To facilitate adoption, clinicians should see the value of using the system as intended by receiving patient care and patient safety feedback that uses system data.