Related Experiment Videos
Physician utilization of computers in medical practice: policy implications based on a structural model
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Physician adoption of hospital information systems (HIS) increases with peer consultation and computer knowledge. Tailoring the system, like creating personal order sets, also boosts HIS utilization, informing technology policy.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Medical Technology Adoption
- Physician Behavior
Background:
- Policy development for computer-based medical technology is hindered by poor understanding of physician adoption and utilization processes.
- Physician adoption of hospital information systems (HIS) is crucial for effective healthcare technology integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a model explaining how physicians change practice behavior through the utilization of a hospital information system (HIS).
- To identify factors influencing physician adoption and use of computer-based medical technology.
Main Methods:
- Developed and tested a structural model using data from 270 medical staff members at a private teaching hospital.
- Employed a structural equation modeling approach, including measurement and structural models.
Main Results:
- Physician consultation within hospital services increases exposure to computer applications, reducing concerns about their impact.
- Physicians with greater computer knowledge are more likely to customize the HIS by creating personal order sets.
- Both factors—reduced concern and system customization—lead to increased physician use of the HIS.
Conclusions:
- Physician collaboration and computer literacy are key drivers for adopting hospital information systems (HIS).
- Tailoring HIS to individual practices enhances physician engagement and utilization.
- Findings offer policy implications for introducing new computer-based technologies in medical settings.