Electronic information access in support of clinical decision making: a comparative study of the impact on rural health care outcomes.
The purpose of this project was to test whether physician access to electronic information resources in support of clinical decision making in a designated rural and medically underserved area would result in a comparable change in health care outcomes as demonstrated by access to mediated information services.


METHODS
Current information habits were assessed; A tailored information intervention was provided; Use of resources against outcomes defined by previous studies was evaluated.


RESULTS
The information intervention had a significant impact on reduction of adverse events and physicians' decision patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
Provision of information tools in support of clinical decision making at the point of care, and training in their use, can have as positive an impact on physician decision making and potential for reduction of adverse events in rural health care as access to mediated information services.
McGowan
J J
JJ
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Richwine
M
M
D015510:Clinical Medicine; D003625:Data Collection; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D007256:Information Systems; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009862:Online Systems; D005791:Patient Care; D010820:Physicians; D019035:Rural Health Services