Survey: Providers expect IT to improve patient care; not just business
Healthcare providers realize that new technologies have to be adopted to improve their business, but the medical benefits of technology also are clearly in their sights, according to CompTIA’s “Healthcare IT Market: Insights and Opportunities” survey.
The report authors found that 59 percent of healthcare providers are somewhat to very excited about the prospect of telemedicine and 79 percent are interested in portable tablet PCs for point-of-patient care.
According to the survey, 74 percent of IT firms believe their healthcare clients are eager to incorporate new technologies into their practices and 67 percent believe that better care for patients is a major factor in their healthcare clients’ decision to adopt new technologies.
“As business owners, it comes as no surprise that healthcare providers are interested in the time savings and improved efficiencies offered by advanced IT,” said Tim Herbert, vice president of research at CompTIA. “However, among the study’s more significant findings is that both the healthcare and healthcare IT industries expect emerging technologies, such as EMRs, to better serve patients.”
Of the healthcare providers currently using EMRs, 82 percent cite better patient care as a major factor in their decision to adopt the technology, according to those surveyed. The other top factor, saving time/improving efficiency, was rated almost identically at 83 percent.
Also, 57 percent of the healthcare providers using EMR say that compliance with regulations is a major factor in their adoption decision, 40 percent are motivated by cost savings and 37 percent are trying to keep pace with their competition.
The survey, which was fielded during September, included healthcare providers and IT firms that offer IT services to healthcare providers. It was conducted in two phases. Part one was conducted among a sample of 200 IT firms that do business in the healthcare market. Part two was conducted among a sample of 300 healthcare providers, including doctors, dentists, office managers and other healthcare practice staff.
The report authors found that 59 percent of healthcare providers are somewhat to very excited about the prospect of telemedicine and 79 percent are interested in portable tablet PCs for point-of-patient care.
According to the survey, 74 percent of IT firms believe their healthcare clients are eager to incorporate new technologies into their practices and 67 percent believe that better care for patients is a major factor in their healthcare clients’ decision to adopt new technologies.
“As business owners, it comes as no surprise that healthcare providers are interested in the time savings and improved efficiencies offered by advanced IT,” said Tim Herbert, vice president of research at CompTIA. “However, among the study’s more significant findings is that both the healthcare and healthcare IT industries expect emerging technologies, such as EMRs, to better serve patients.”
Of the healthcare providers currently using EMRs, 82 percent cite better patient care as a major factor in their decision to adopt the technology, according to those surveyed. The other top factor, saving time/improving efficiency, was rated almost identically at 83 percent.
Also, 57 percent of the healthcare providers using EMR say that compliance with regulations is a major factor in their adoption decision, 40 percent are motivated by cost savings and 37 percent are trying to keep pace with their competition.
The survey, which was fielded during September, included healthcare providers and IT firms that offer IT services to healthcare providers. It was conducted in two phases. Part one was conducted among a sample of 200 IT firms that do business in the healthcare market. Part two was conducted among a sample of 300 healthcare providers, including doctors, dentists, office managers and other healthcare practice staff.