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. 2012 Dec 19;3(4):488-500.
doi: 10.4338/ACI-2012-07-R-0029. Print 2012.

Drivers and barriers in health IT adoption: a proposed framework

A C Avgar  1 , A S Litwin, P J Pronovost
Affiliations

Drivers and barriers in health IT adoption: a proposed framework

A C Avgar et al. Appl Clin Inform. .

Abstract

Despite near (and rare) consensus that the adoption and diffusion of health information technology (health IT) will bolster outcomes for organizations, individuals, and the healthcare system as a whole, there has been surprisingly little consideration of the structures and processes within organizations that might drive the adoption and effective use of the technology. Management research provides a useful lens through which to analyze both the determinants of investment and the benefits that can ultimately be derived from these investments. This paper provides a conceptual framework for understanding health IT adoption. In doing so, this paper highlights specific organizational barriers or enablers at different stages of the adoption process - investment, implementation, and use - and at different levels of organizational decision-making - strategic, operational, and frontline. This framework will aid both policymakers and organizational actors as they make sense of the transition from paper-based to electronic systems.

Keywords: Health information technology; organizations; strategic choice; technology adoption.

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