title: The impact of clinical leadership on health information technology adoption: systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic review to examine evidence of associations between clinical leadership and successful information technology (IT) adoption in healthcare organisations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and Business Source Premier for articles published between January 2000 to May 2013 with keywords and subject terms related to: (1) the setting--healthcare provider organisations; (2) the technology--health information technology; (3) the process--adoption; and (4) the intervention--leadership. We identified 3121 unique citations, of which 32 met our criteria and were included in the review. Data extracted from the included studies were assessed in light of two frameworks: Bassellier et al.'s IT competence framework; and Avgar et al.'s health IT adoption framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results demonstrate important associations between the attributes of clinical leaders and IT adoption. Clinical leaders who have technical informatics skills and prior experience with IT project management are likely to develop a vision that comprises a long-term commitment to the use of IT. Leaders who possess such a vision believe in the value of IT, are motivated to adopt it, and can maintain confidence and stability through the adversities that IT adoptions often entail. This leads to proactive leadership behaviours and partnerships with IT professionals that are associated with successful organisational and clinical outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review provides evidence that clinical leaders can positively contribute to successful IT adoption in healthcare organisations. Clinical leaders who aim for improvements in the processes and quality of care should cultivate the necessary IT competencies, establish mutual partnerships with IT professionals, and execute proactive IT behaviours to achieve successful IT adoption.
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway; CEO's Office, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Tor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ingebrigtsen
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: a.georgiou@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clay-Williams
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Magrabi
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hordern
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prgomet
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Westbrook
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D010819:Physician's Role
keywords: Clinical competence; Decision making organisational; Diffusion of innovation; Health informatics; Information systems