Clinical decision support must be useful, functional is not enough: A qualitative study of computer-based clinical decision support in primary care

TY - JOUR

T1 - Clinical decision support must be useful, functional is not enough

T2 - A qualitative study of computer-based clinical decision support in primary care

AU - Kortteisto, Tiina

AU - Komulainen, Jorma

AU - Mäkelä, Marjukka

AU - Kunnamo, Ilkka

AU - Kaila, Minna

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Background: Health information technology, particularly electronic decision support systems, can reduce the existing gap between evidence-based knowledge and health care practice but professionals have to accept and use this information. Evidence is scant on which features influence the use of computer-based clinical decision support (eCDS) in primary care and how different professional groups experience it. Our aim was to describe specific reasons for using or not using eCDS among primary care professionals. Methods. The setting was a Finnish primary health care organization with 48 professionals receiving patient-specific guidance at the point of care. Multiple data (focus groups, questionnaire and spontaneous feedback) were analyzed using deductive content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: The content of the guidance is a significant feature of the primary care professionals intention to use eCDS. The decisive reason for using or not using the eCDS is its perceived usefulness. Functional characteristics such as speed and ease of use are important but alone these are not enough. Specific information technology, professional, patient and environment features can help or hinder the use. Conclusions: Primary care professionals have to perceive eCDS guidance useful for their work before they use it.

AB - Background: Health information technology, particularly electronic decision support systems, can reduce the existing gap between evidence-based knowledge and health care practice but professionals have to accept and use this information. Evidence is scant on which features influence the use of computer-based clinical decision support (eCDS) in primary care and how different professional groups experience it. Our aim was to describe specific reasons for using or not using eCDS among primary care professionals. Methods. The setting was a Finnish primary health care organization with 48 professionals receiving patient-specific guidance at the point of care. Multiple data (focus groups, questionnaire and spontaneous feedback) were analyzed using deductive content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: The content of the guidance is a significant feature of the primary care professionals intention to use eCDS. The decisive reason for using or not using the eCDS is its perceived usefulness. Functional characteristics such as speed and ease of use are important but alone these are not enough. Specific information technology, professional, patient and environment features can help or hinder the use. Conclusions: Primary care professionals have to perceive eCDS guidance useful for their work before they use it.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1472-6963

VL - 12

SP - 349

JO - BMC Health Services Research

JF - BMC Health Services Research

IS - 1

ER -