Difference between revisions of "Sustaining "Meaningful Use" of Health Information Technology in Low-Resource Practices"
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| − | Meaningful Use is a Medicare/Medicaid program that was started in 2009 through the HITECH act. Through this program hospitals and eligible providers could demonstrate their utilization of an electronic health technology and meet certain criteria to receive financial incentives. The requirements were demonstrated through the use of | + | Meaningful Use is a Medicare/Medicaid program that was started in 2009 through the HITECH act. Through this program hospitals and eligible providers could demonstrate their utilization of an electronic health technology and meet certain criteria to receive financial incentives. The requirements were demonstrated through the use of an electronic health record. To receive any of the financial incentives physicians needed to show meaningful use of the electronic health record by documenting patient data and meeting requirements through measures and objectives. There have been many studies conducted on the implementation of EHRs but not enough research has been done on the maintenance of the health IT systems. Health IT systems require updates, changes in formatting, and additional training. Maintenance of a health IT system requires information technology expertise and support. These technical resources and support are hard to come by with low resource primary care practices.<ref name="Sustaining Meaningful Use of Health Technology in Low Resource Practices">Sustaining Meaningful Use of Health Technology in Low Resource Practices.http://www.annfammed.org/content/13/1/17</ref> |
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
| − | The authors wanted to look what were the barriers with maintaining a EHR within a low resource practice. They wanted to assess the challenges with maintaining and using a health IT system. | + | The authors wanted to look what were the barriers and obstacles faced with maintaining a EHR within a low resource practice. They also wanted to assess the challenges with maintaining and using a health IT system. |
==Methods== | ==Methods== | ||
| − | The authors used a qualitative observational study. They conducted interviews and | + | The authors used a qualitative observational study. They conducted interviews and observations of the implementation process. Cognitive task analysis interviews were also conducted. Some of the interviews were conducted with implementation specialists to identify any reoccurring issues. |
==Results== | ==Results== | ||
| − | The study showed that smaller practices particularly in rural primary practices do not have the resources to support meaningful use | + | The study showed that smaller practices particularly in rural primary practices do not have the resources to support a meaningful use system. |
Revision as of 16:24, 8 April 2015
Meaningful Use is a Medicare/Medicaid program that was started in 2009 through the HITECH act. Through this program hospitals and eligible providers could demonstrate their utilization of an electronic health technology and meet certain criteria to receive financial incentives. The requirements were demonstrated through the use of an electronic health record. To receive any of the financial incentives physicians needed to show meaningful use of the electronic health record by documenting patient data and meeting requirements through measures and objectives. There have been many studies conducted on the implementation of EHRs but not enough research has been done on the maintenance of the health IT systems. Health IT systems require updates, changes in formatting, and additional training. Maintenance of a health IT system requires information technology expertise and support. These technical resources and support are hard to come by with low resource primary care practices.[1]
Purpose
The authors wanted to look what were the barriers and obstacles faced with maintaining a EHR within a low resource practice. They also wanted to assess the challenges with maintaining and using a health IT system.
Methods
The authors used a qualitative observational study. They conducted interviews and observations of the implementation process. Cognitive task analysis interviews were also conducted. Some of the interviews were conducted with implementation specialists to identify any reoccurring issues.
Results
The study showed that smaller practices particularly in rural primary practices do not have the resources to support a meaningful use system.
Conclusions
For those practices without affiliation to maintain the necessary expert staff, ongoing support will be necessary for those practices to remain viable.[1]
Comments
This study brought emphasis to the need for financial aid and IT support to physicians practicing in rural areas. Without ongoing financial support or access to technical experts many rural practices will not survive.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sustaining Meaningful Use of Health Technology in Low Resource Practices.http://www.annfammed.org/content/13/1/17
