title: Adoption and use of health information technology in physician practice organisations: systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health information technology (HIT) has the potential to improve clinical outcomes, increase health provider productivity and reduce healthcare costs. Over half of all patient care is delivered in physician practice organisations, yet adoption and utilisation of HIT  in these groups lags behind inpatient facilities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To better understand current utilisation rates along with benefits and barriers to HIT adoption in physician practice organisations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published literature on the adoption and use of HIT in physician  practice organisations within the USA between 12 January 2004 and 12 January 2009 and indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE was included in the systematic review. Grey literature was also searched. Studies related to the adoption and use of HIT in hospitals and community health centres were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 119 articles were eligible for inclusion in the review. Adoption rates across physician groups remain low, with between 9% and 29% of practices having implemented electronic medical records. HIT improves clinical outcomes, increases the use of vaccinations and improves  medication adherence. Furthermore, HIT adoption leads to cost savings for physician groups, improves staff productivity and enriches patient-provider interactions. The largest barrier to HIT adoption in physician groups is the high initial and ongoing costs of electronic systems. Lack  of sufficient training, a disorganised or non-receptive practice culture and technological problems such as inadequate connectivity appear to impede effective HIT use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIT has the potential to positively impact on physician practice organisations, although significant  and diverse barriers block adoption. Research into these obstacles should be coupled with efforts to understand barriers to effective implementation after HIT adoption.
authors: RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
authors: Rachel L
authors: RL
authors: Police
authors: Talia
authors: T
authors: Foster
authors: Ken S
authors: KS
authors: Wong
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006123:Group Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States