Fostering acceptance of computerized physician order entry: insights from an implementation study

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Healthcare Management
• Medical Practice Transformation

Background:

• Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) is recognized for its potential to enhance patient safety and outcomes.
• However, physician adoption of CPOE systems has been met with significant resistance due to perceived drawbacks.
• Understanding the factors influencing physician acceptance is crucial for successful implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the implementation of CPOE in a rural hospital setting.
• To identify factors correlating with physician acceptance of CPOE technology.
• To propose actionable recommendations for healthcare managers to improve CPOE adoption rates.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data.
• Physician surveys (n=19) were conducted to gather data on acceptance correlates.
• Organizational change literature was integrated to inform recommendations.

Main Results:

• Older physicians demonstrated lower acceptance rates of CPOE systems.
• High-quality communication regarding the changes associated with CPOE was found to mitigate resistance, even among older physicians.
• Physician involvement in tailoring CPOE to local hospital needs positively influenced acceptance.

Conclusions:

• Effective change communication strategies are vital for overcoming physician resistance to CPOE.
• Engaging physicians as active participants in the CPOE fine-tuning process is essential for successful implementation.
• Healthcare managers can leverage these insights to foster greater acceptance and optimize CPOE benefits.