Troubled Waters: Navigating Unintended Consequences of Health Information Technology

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Health Information Technology (HIT)

Background:

• The 2016 IMIA Yearbook's special topic addresses the unintended consequences of Health Information Technology (HIT).
• This edition highlights both adverse and beneficial outcomes stemming from HIT implementation and use.
• Existing literature predominantly focuses on undesired outcomes and their complex origins.

Discussion:

• Increased awareness and documentation of HIT's unintended consequences reflect broader user acceptance.
• A shift in user demographics, from early adopters to late adopters and laggards, influences HIT outcomes.
• The Yearbook presents diverse perspectives on addressing new problems and solutions related to HIT's unintended consequences.

Key Insights:

• Wider adoption of HIT leads to new, often unintended, consequences.
• Understanding these consequences is crucial for improving healthcare quality.
• The Yearbook offers a comprehensive overview of current research and expert opinions.

Outlook:

• Future research should continue to explore both positive and negative unintended consequences of HIT.
• Developing effective strategies to mitigate adverse effects and leverage benefits is essential.
• The evolving landscape of HIT necessitates ongoing evaluation and adaptation.