Factors influencing physician use of clinical electronic information technologies after adoption by their medical group practices.

BACKGROUND

A major factor limiting efficiency and quality gains from clinical information technologies is the lack of full use by the clinicians.

PURPOSE

To identify the practice and physician characteristics that influence the use of e-scripts after adoption.

METHODS

Data were obtained from 27 primary care medical group practices that had e-script technology for 2 years. Physician and practice characteristics were obtained from the clinics, and the proportion of each physician's prescriptions sent electronically was calculated from the prescription records. Practice culture data were obtained from a survey of the physicians in each practice. Data were analyzed using hierarchal regression.

FINDINGS

Practice-level variables explain most of the variance in the use of e-scripts by physicians, although there are significant differences in use among specialties as well. General internists have slightly lower use rates and pediatricians have the highest rates. Larger practices and multispecialty practices have higher use rates, and five practice culture dimensions influence these rates; two have a negative influence and three (organizational trust, adaptive, and a business orientation) have a positive influence.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

While previous studies have identified physician characteristics and product deficiencies as factors limiting the use of electronic information technologies in medical practices, our data indicate that the influence of these factors may be highly dependent on the culture of the practice. Consequently, practice administrators can improve physician acceptance and use of these technologies by making sure that there is a culture/technology fit before deciding on a product.