Evaluation of a computerized drug review system: impact, attitudes, and interactions.

A study was carried out across 11 psychiatric and mental retardation, and developmental disabilities facilities to investigate the impact of a computerized drug prescription monitoring system on clinicians' prescribing behavior, knowledge of pharmacotherapy, attitudes toward computers, and the relationships between their attitudes and changes in their prescribing practices. The results document that surveillance systems can improve prescribing practices. The tangible feedback provided by the exception report, although in the form of a surveillance mechanism, also increased user acceptance to computer technology. However, the findings also suggest that user acceptance is not necessarily required to see positive effects, which in environments where clinical and fiscal accountability are paramount, may override some clinicians' concerns. Attention to human factors components may help to alleviate some negativism.