Get real: what will draw physicians to the Web?
What are physicians waiting for? What will it take to stimulate widespread adoption of Internet medical systems? How can health care leaders and physicians help the technology innovators and the executives of technology firms understand the components necessary to assure physician acceptance and utilization of new tools? (1) Don't underestimate the personal nature of a physician's practice. It really isn't a "business." (2) Most physicians are not Luddites; they are just extremely pragmatic and practical. (3) For the majority of physicians to adopt a new technology in their private office practice, it must address three major issues: money, hassle, and patient care. There are many obstacles to adopting the new technologies that are the result of physician training and expectations and the current models of payment and revenue generation. Some technological innovations are presented to physicians without sufficient respect for their knowledge of how medical practices really work. The benefits promised often don't match with the needs structure of the physicians. As a consequence, the cycle of diffusion of these new systems is extended and delayed.
Guthrie
M B
MB
Premier Practice Management, San Diego, California, USA. michael_guthrie@premierinc.com
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States