- Author
- Paul G Shekelle and Caroline L Goldzweig
- Date published
- May 2009
- Download publication [675kb PDF]
This report summarises the available international evidence on the costs and benefits of clinical health information technology (HIT) systems. This study has been undertaken by RAND on behalf of the Health Foundation and updates their 2005 study.
Background
The use of health information technology has been promoted as having tremendous promise in improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality and safety of medical care delivery. The promise of IT systems may be substantial, but across Europe healthcare leaders report problems with implementation. As such, gains in quality improvement through integrated and effective IT are not being realised.
This report
This report aims to gather the lessons learnt on the effects of HIT to costs and benefits that might be of use to organisations looking to develop and implement HIT programmes. This is a difficult exercise considering the multiple factors affecting implementation of an HIT programme. Factors include organisational characteristics, the kinds of changes being put in place and how they are managed, and the type of HIT system.
The report finds that barriers to HIT implementation are still substantial but that some progress has been made on reporting the organisational factors crucial for the adoption of HIT. However, there is a challenge to adapt the studies and publications from HIT leaders (early implementers and people using HIT to best effect) to offer lessons beyond their local circumstances. The report also finds limited data on the cost-effectiveness of HIT.
About QQUIP
This report is published as part of the Health Foundation’s Quest for Quality and Improved Performance (QQUIP) project. The QQUIP programme synthesises the international evidence about interventions to improve healthcare to ask which ones work to improve quality. Other reports analyse whether we are getting value for money from investment in the NHS. The QQUIP online database draws together the current data on quality and performance.
Who should read this report?
This report is intended for healthcare decision makers, including policy makers and managers. They should use this independent source of evidence to inform decisions and take actions that will lead to better quality of patient care.
