title: Costs and benefits of health information technology: new trends from the literature.
abstract: To understand what is new in health information technology (IT), we updated a systematic review of health IT with studies published during 2004-2007. From 4,683 titles, 179 met inclusion criteria. We identified a proliferation of patient-focused applications although little formal evaluation in this area; more descriptions of commercial electronic health records (EHRs) and health IT systems designed to run independently from EHRs; and proportionately fewer relevant studies from the health IT leaders. Accelerating the adoption of health IT will require greater public-private partnerships, new policies to address the misalignment of financial incentives, and a more robust evidence base regarding IT implementation.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System in California, USA. caroline.goldzweig@va.gov
authors.forename: Caroline Lubick
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Goldzweig
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Towfigh
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maglione
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Shekelle
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D007256:Information Systems / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000191:economics; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D013672:Technology / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards