The development of primary care information technology in the United kingdom.
BACKGROUND
UK primary care is highly computerized; initially led by enthusiastic general practitioners who developed their own systems. This preceded the development of a National Health Service information strategy and an ambitious National Programme for IT.


METHODS
A 4-element model is proposed to explain the development of information technology: (1) individual clinician choice; (2) integration into the clinical task--usually an office visit; (3) technological developments; and (4) organizational factors.


CONCLUSIONS
All 4 elements of this model have been tilted in favor of the utilization of information technology; lessons from the United Kingdom may help other health systems looking to implement information technology systems in primary care.
Division of Community Health Sciences, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom. slusigna@sgul.ac.uk
Simon
S
de Lusignan
Tom
T
Chan
D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D006113:United Kingdom